BVA'r11 SCHOOttESSO

OIR 'WONDERFUL GOD

SENIOR DIVISION, No.



SECOND. QUARTER, 1959

THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY

"He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character

of God. Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind.... Receive into the soul

by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character

and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of

God."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 38.

"Appreciation of the Bible grows with its study."—/bid., p. 132.

"God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting

people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon

His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural,

earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ jesus."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 391.

"The neglect of the word means starvation to the

soul."—Counsels on

Sabbath School Work,

page 44.

My Daily Lesson Study Pledge

As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I

pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-

bath school lesson each day of the week.

Name



LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER

God's Satisfying Friendship

God's Transcendent and Mysterious

Nature

God's Ceaseless Work as Creator

and Sustainer

God's Perfect Character

God's Perfect Character—Con-

tinued

God's Unsearchable Wisdom

God's Universal Government

God's Immutable Law

God's Sacred Name

Io. God's Omnipotence

H. God's Consuming Glory

32. God's Holy Word

13. God's Wonderful Fatherhood

Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 256, April-June, 1969. 20 cents a single copy, 76 cents

a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the

U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street,

Mountain View, California. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California.

When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.

Printed in U.S.A.

Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly

OUR WONDERFUL GOD

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

"A knowledge of God is the foundation of

all true education and of all true service. It

is the only real safeguard against tempta-

tion.

It is this alone that can make us like

God in character.

"This is the knowledge needed by all who

are working for the uplifting of their fellow

men. Transformation of character, purity

of life, efficiency in service, adherence to cor-

rect principles,

all depend upon a right

knowledge of God.

This knowledge is the

essential preparation both for this life and

for the life to come."—The

Ministry of

Healing,

page 409. (Italics supplied.)

While a knowledge of God has always

been needed by followers of truth, it is of

special importance to members of the rem-

nant church, for they must meet the final

issues connected with loyalty to God and

His law.

"Those who endeavor to obey all the com-

mandments of God will be opposed and de-

rided. They can stand only in God. In

order to endure the trial before them, they

'must understand the will of God as revealed

in His word; they can honor Him

only as

they have a right conception of His charac-

ter, government, and purposes,

and act in

accordance with them."—The

Great Con-

troversy,

page 593. (Italics supplied.)

The Sabbath school lessons this quarter

are designed to help every member under-

stand more perfectly the great God whom

we serve. This knowledge, if reverently re-

ceived, will do much toward enabling each

Christian to remain steadfast to the end.

Lesson 1, for April 4, 1959

God's Satisfying Friendship

MEMORY VERSE:

"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: thereby good

shall come unto thee." Job 22:21.

STUDY HELPS:

"Prophets and Kings," pages 311-321; "The Ministry of Healing,"

pages 451-457; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson

texts; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 19.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check

Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.



❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.



❑

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.



❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 11, 12; begin

reading from Study Helps..

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

❑

13]

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. Importance of Knowing God

Necessary for eternal life. John 17:3.

The source of all spiritual blessings.

2 Peter 1:2, 3.



- "

Is true wisdom. Prov. 9:10.

Is greatest cause for satisfaction.

Jer. 9:23, 24.

II. Avenues Through Which Men Become

Acquainted With God

5. God revealed through visible things.

Rom. 1:19, 20.

The heavenly bodies declare Him.

Ps. 19:1-3.

The Father revealed through Christ.

John 14:8, 9; 8:19.

Christ revealed in Scriptures. John

5:39.

III. Conditions for Knowing God

Be still. Ps. 46:10.

10.

Earnest desire. Ps. 42:1 ; 63:1; 84:2.

11.

Praying, having forsaken sin. James

4:8; Ps. 145:18.

12.

Search with whole heart. Jer. 29:13.

THE LESSON

soul in the image of God. It will impart to

the whole being a spiritual power that is

divine."-The

Ministry of Healing,

page

425.

How many spiritual blessings

are available through a knowledge of

God? Name two. 2 Peter 1:2, 3.

Introduction

God created man in His own image, with

the capabilities necessary to develop a char-

acter like His. He also placed within man

a desire to know God and have fellowship

with Him. Without God, man is restless,

often seeking to satisfy his vague, little-

understood craving for God's friendship by

reaching out for worldly pleasures or by

seeking the companionship of those who

mind earthly things.

Throughout the Bible God extends an in-

vitation to man to become acquainted with

Him. A partial knowledge of Him can be

obtained in several ways, such as through

the Inspired Word, through Christ, through

nature, and through personal experience.

Through these avenues of revelation we may

learn to love God and develop a satisfying

friendship with Him. Beyond what has been

revealed, however, we have been warned

not to speculate.

Importance of Knowing God

1. What

priceless gift will come to

all who truly know God? John 17:3.

NOTE.-"The

knowledge of God as ,

re-

vealed in Christ is the knowledge that all

who are saved must have. It is the knowl-

edge that works transformation of character.

This knowledge, received, will re-create the

NorE.-"Having received the faith of the

gospel, the next work of the believer is to

add to his character virtue, and thus cleanse

the heart and prepare the mind for the re-

ception of the knowledge of God. This

knowledge is the foundation of all true edu-

cation and of all true service. It is the only

real 'safeguard against temptation; and it

is this alone that can make one like God in

character. Through the knowledge of God

and of His Son Jesus Christ, are given to

the believer 'all things that pertain unto life

and godliness.' No good gift is withheld

from him who sincerely desires to obtain

the righteousness of God."-The

Acts of the

Apostles,

pages 530, 531.

What does Solomon say is the

source of true wisdom and under-

standing? •Prov. 9:10.

NOTE.-"

'The fear of the Lord is the be-

ginning of wisdom; and

the knowledge of

the Holy

is understanding.' Proverbs 9:10.

The great work of life is character building;

and a knowledge of God is the foundation of

all true education. . . . God has revealed

Himself to us in His word and in the works

of creation. Through the volume of inspira-

tion and the book of nature, we are "to ob.:

tain a knowledge of

God."—Patriarchs

and

Prophets,

page 596.

What does God declare should

be man's greatest cause for joy and

personal satisfaction? Jer. 9:23, 24.

NOTE.—"There is a great deal of talk con-

cerning higher education, and many sup-

pose that higher education consists wholly

in an education in science and literature;

but this is not all. The highest education

includes the knowledge of the word of God,

and is comprehended in the words, 'That

they might know Thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom Thou halt sent.'

John 17:3.

"The highest class of education is that

which will give such knowledge and disci-

pline as will lead to the best development

of character, and will fit the soul for that

life which measures with the life of God.

... The highest education is that which will

teach our children and youth the science of

Christianity, which will give them an experi-

mental knowledge of God's ways, and will

impart to them the lessons that Christ gave

to His disciples, of the paternal character

God."—Counsels to Teachers,

pages 45,

46.

Avenues Through Which Men,

Become Acquainted With God

Why are men without excuse if

they do not know God? Rom..1:19,

20.

Master Artist. Wherever we turn, we may

hear the voice of God, and see evidences of

His goodness:

"From the solemn roll of the deep-toned

thunder and old' ocean's ceaseless roar, to

the glad songs that make the forests vocal

with melody, nature's ten thousand voices

speak His praise: In earth and'sea and' sky,

with their marvelous tint and color, vary-

ing in gorgeous contrast or blended in har-

mony, we behold His glory. The everlasting

hills tell us of His power. The trees.that

wave their green banners in the sunlight,

and the flowers in their delicate beauty,

point to their Creator.... All the brightness

and beauty that adorn the earth and light

up the heavens, speak of

God."—The Min-

istry of Healing,

pages 411, 412.

What message do the heavenly

bodies proclaim to mankind? Ps. 19:

1-3.,

NOTE.—"No: finite mind can fully' com-

prehend the, existence, the power, the wis-

dom, or the works of the Infinite One. . . .

The mightiest intellects of earth cannot

comprehend God. Men may be ever search-

ing, ever learning, and still there is an-in-

finity beyond. Yet the works of creation

testify of GO.d's polker and greathesi."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page• 116.

Tor what lack of distermient did

Christ reprove the' people otHis day?

John 14:8, 9; 8:19. —



NOTE.—"In the song of the bird, the sigh-

ing of the trees, and the music of the sea,

we still may hear His voice who • talked •

with Adam in Eden in the cool of the

day."—The Desire of Ages,

pages 281, 282."

"Nature testifies that One infinite •in

power,

great in goodness, mercy, and love,

created the earth, and filled it with life and •y

gladness. Even in their blighted state, all

things reveal the handiwork of the great

[

]

NoTE.—"All that man needs to know or

can know of God has been revealed in the

life and character of His

Son."—Testi-

monies,

vol. 8, p. 286.

What is one way by which we

may become acquainted with Christ?

John 5:39.

NorE.—"Jesus said of the Old Testament

Scriptures,—and how much more is it true

of the New,—`They are they which testify

of Me,' the Redeemer, Him in whom our

hopes of eternal life are centered. John 5:

39. Yes, the whole Bible tells of Christ.

From the first record of creation—for 'with-

out Him was not anything made that was

made'—to the closing promise, 'Behold, I

come quickly,' we are reading of His works

and listening to His voice. John 1:3 ; Revela-

tion

22:12.

If you would become acquainted

with the Saviour, study the Holy Scrip-

tures."—Steps

to Christ

(1956 and pocket

eds.), page 88.

Conditions for Knowing God

What attitude or condition in

man is favorable to learning of the

Eternal One? Ps. 46:10.

NOTE.-"All

who are under the training

of God need the quiet hour for communion

with their own hearts, with nature, and

with God. In them is to be revealed a life

that is not in harmony with the world, its

customs, or its practices; and they need

to have a personal experience in obtaining

a knowledge of the will of God. We must

individually hear Him speaking to the heart.

When every other voice is hushed, and in

quietness we wait before Him, the silence

of the soul makes more distinct the voice

of God."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page

58.

10.

How earnestly must we desire

to become acquainted with God if we

are to know Him intimately? Ps. 42:

1; 63:1; 84:2.

11.

On what conditions will God

draw near to His people? James 4:8;

Ps. 145:18.

Nom—Prayer is one important means by

which we can draw nigh to God. "Although

there may be a tainted, corrupted atmos-

phere around us, we need not breathe its

miasma, but may live in the pure air of

heaven. We may close every door to im-

pure imaginings and unholy thoughts by

lifting the soul into the presence of God

through sincere prayer. Those whose hearts

are open to receive the support and bless-

ing of God will walk in a holier atmosphere

than that of earth and will have constant

communion with heaven."—Steps

to Christ,

page 99.

12.

What does God promise to

those who search for Him with the

whole heart? Jer. 29:13.

Questions for Meditation

If I feel restless and unhappy, what

may be lacking in my life?

Is it possible to develop a satisfying

friendship with God without spending some

time each day in contemplating His good-

ness and studying His word?

If I know God, how successful will I

be in enduring the trials that come to all

Christians?

PLEASE NOTE: The pagination of the 1956 edition of "Steps to Christ" is the

same as the pocket edition. Where quotations are given from this book, this is

the pagination used. Where the book is listed as a study help, the pagination

in the old 1908 edition is also listed. "Love Unlimited," the 1959 Book of the Year,

cotitOins`"Steps to Christ" in the first half of the volume, with paging the same as

in the T956 edition.

E6]

Lesson 2, for April 11, 1959

God's Transcendent and Mysterious Nature

MEMORY VERSE:

"Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from

Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art,there: if I make my bed

in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning,'and dwell

in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and

Thy right hand shall hold me." Ps. 139:7-10.

STUDY HELPS:

"Testimonies," vol. 8, pp. 263-294; "The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in. "Review and Herald" of

March 26.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Check

Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 12-14.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-5.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 6-8.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 9-11.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. The Trinity

There is only one God. Mark 12:29,

32 ; 1 Cor. 8:4-6 ; Deut. 6:4.

God is three Persons. Gen. 1:1, 2, 26.

Disciples are baptized in the name

of the Trinity. Matt. 28:19.

Paul speaks of God, the Lord Jesus,

the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. 13:14.

Christ is one with the Father. John

10:30.

II. The Person of God

6. Man was made in God's image. Gen.

1:27.

7. Physical features of God mentioned

in Scripture. Gen. 3:9, 10; Deut. 33:

27; Ps. 34:15; Isa. 59:1 ; Rev. 22:4.

8. Christ as seen by Daniel and John.

Dan. 7:9; 10:5, 6; Rev. 1:12-17.

III.

God's Omnipresence

9. God is on His throne in heaven.

Ps.

11:4; Isa. 6:1; Rev. 4:2.

10. He is everywhere present by His

Spirit. Ps. 139:7-10.

11. He dwells in human hearts.

La.

57:15.

IV. God's Nature Illustrated

12. He is likened to fire. Heb. 12:29.

13. Revealed as fire to Moses and chil-

dren of Israel. Ex. 3:1-6; 13:21, 22.

14. Compared to, the wind. John 3:7, 8.

THE LESSON

Introduction



intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out

in conjectures regarding the nature of God,

Much has been revealed concerning. God, but the effort will be fruitless. This prob-

yet His true nature is a mystery to us.



lem has not been given us to solve. No

"The revelation of Himself that God has human mind

can comprehend God. None

given in His word is for our study. This



are to indulge in speculation regarding His

we may seek to understand. But beyond nature. Here silence is eloquence. The Om-

this we are not to penetrate. The highest



niscient One is above discussion....

[ 73

"We are as ignorant of God t as little

children ; but, as little children, we may love

and obey

Him."—The Ministry of Healing,

page 429.

The Trinity

1. What fundamental concept of

God do the Scriptures present? Mark

12:29, 32; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Deut. 6:4.

NOTE.—"In striking contrast to the na-

tions about them, who were polytheists, the

Hebrews believed in one true God. This

profession of faith hag been the watchWord

of the Hebrew race for more than 3,000

years (see Mark 12:2.9). The apostle Paul

states the same truth as a tenet of Chris-

tianity (1 Cor. 8:4-6; Eph.

4:4-6)."—The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

vol. 1,

p. 974.

' 2. What do we learn regarding the

Godhead from the record of the crea-

tion of the world? Gen. 1:1, 2, 26.

NoTE.—"The Spirit of God moved.

`Spirit,'

ruach.

harmoriy with Scriptuial

usage, the Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit,

the hi

rd Person of the Godhead."

"Let Us make man. . . :

The plural 'Us'

was regarded by the early church theologians

almost unanimously as indicative of the

Three Persons of the Godhead. The word

`us' requires the presence of at least two

persons counseling ,together.

The state-

ments that

man was to be made

in 'Our'

image and

was made

in 'God's' image leads

to the conclusion that those counseling must

both be Persons of the same Godhead."—

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-

tary, vol.

1, pp. 209, 215.

3. In giving the great commission,,

how did Jesus emphasize the trinity

of the Godhead? Matt. 28:19.

NoTE.—"There are three living persons of

the heavenly trio; in the name of these three

great powers—the Father, the Son, and

the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ

by living faith are baptized, and these

powers will co-operate with the obedient

subjects of heaven in their efforts to live

•

the new life in

Christ."—Evangelism,

page

615.

How does Paul make ieference

to the Trinity? 2 Cor. 13:14.



- -

NcrrE.—"The Father is all the fullness of

the Godhead' bodily, and is invisible to

mortal sight. The Son is all the fullness of

the Godhead manifested.... The Comforter

that Christ promised to send after He as-

cended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the

fullness of the Godhead, making manifest

the power of divine grace to all who receive

and believe on Christ as a personal Saviour."

—Evangelism,

pages 614, 615.

What did Jesus say of His rela-

tionship to His Father and the unity

existing between them? John 10:30.

NoTE.—"The unity that exists between

Christ and His disciples does not destroy

the personality of either. They are one in

purpose, in mind, in character, but not in

person. It is thus that God and Christ are

one."—The Ministry of Healing,

page 422.

All three members of the Deity shared

in laying the plan of salvation. "The God-

head was stirred with pity for the race,

and the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Spirit gave Themselves to the working out

of the plan of redemption."—Counsels

Health,

page 222.



The Person of God

What general pattern was used

when God created man? Gen. 1:27.

NoTE.

-"Man was to bear God's image,

both in outward resemblance and in char-

acter. % Christ alone is 'the express image'

of the Father; but man was formed in the

likeness of

God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 45.

Since man was made in God's "image,"

we may understand that God is a person.

Throughout the Scriptures, He is described

as having the attributes of the type of per-

sonality with which we are familiar.

What five physical aspects of God

indicate that He is a person? Gen. 3:

9, 10; Deut. 33:27; Ps. 34:15; Isa. 59:

1; Rev. 22:4.

NorE.—"God is a Spirit; yet He is a per-

sonal Being; for so He has revealed Him-

self."—The Ministry of Healing,

page 413.

"I have often seen the lovely Jesus, that

He is a

person.

I asked Him if His Father

was a person 'and had a form like Him-

self. Said Jesus, 'I am in the express

image

of My Father's

person.'"—Early Writings,

page

77.

The following interesting description of a

scene in heaven indicates the very real per-

sonality of both the Father and the Son:

"Before the foundations of the earth were

laid, the Father and the Son had united in

a covenant to redeem man if he should be

overcome by Satan. They had

clasped Their

hands

in a solemn pledge that Christ should

become the surety for the human race."—

The Desire of Ages,

page 834. (Italics sup-

plied.)

"The Holy Spirit is a person, for He

beareth witness with our spirits that we

are the children of God. ... The Holy Spirit

has a personality, else He could not bear

witness to our spirits and with our spirits

that we are the children of God. He must

also be a divine person, else He could not

search out the secrets which lie hidden in

the mind of

God."—Evangelism,

pages 616,

617.

How does the description of "the

Ancient of Days" given by the prophet

Daniel compare with that of Christ

given by the apostle John in Revela-

tion? Dan. 7:9; 10:5, 6; Rev. 1:12-17.

God's Omnipresence

Where is God's throne located?

Ps. 11:4; Isa. 6:1; Rev. 4:2.

NOTE.—"The greatness of God is to us

incomprehensible. 'The Lord's throne is in

heaven' (Psalm 11:4) ; yet by His Spirit He

is everywhere present. He has an intimate

knowledge of, and a personal interest in,

all the works of His

hand."—Education,

page 132.

10.

How do we know that God can

be everywhere present by His Spirit?

Ps. 139:7-10.

NOTE.—"The Bible shows us God in His

high and holy place, not in a state of inac-

tivity, not in silence and solitude, but

surrounded by ten thousand times ten thou-

sand and thousands of thousands of holy

beings, all waiting to do His will. Through

these messengers He is in active communi-

cation with every part of His dominion. By

His Spirit He is everywhere present.

Through the agency of His Spirit and His

angels He ministers to the children of men."

—The Ministry of Healing,

page 417.

11.

With whom has God promised

to dwell? Isa. 57:15.

NoTE.—"The proud heart strives to earn

salvation; but both our title to heaven and

our fitness for it are found in the righteous-

ness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing

toward the recovery of man until, convinced

of his own weakness, and stripped of all

self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the

control of God. Then he can receive the

gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the

soul that feels his need, nothing is with-

held. He has unrestricted access to Him

in whom all fullness dwells."—The

Desire

of Ages,

page 300.

God's Nature Illustrated

12.

To what familiar but powerful

element does Paul liken God? Heb.

12:29.

NorE.—It should be recognized that it is

dangerous to try to compare the Godhead

with earthly things. "God cannot be com-

[9]

FIRE RE PRESENTS ONE

ASPECT OF GOD'S CHARACTER.

tous-:

pared with the things His hands have made.

These are mere earthly things, suffering

under the curse of God because of the sins

of man. The Father cannot be described by

the things of earth. The Father is all the

fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is in-

visible to mortal

sight."—Evangelism,

page

614.

13.

Through what experiences was

this aspect of God's nature revealed to

Moses and to the children of Israel?

Ex. 3:1-6; 13:21, 22.

14.

To what force in nature did

Jesus liken the workings of the Holy

Spirit, the Third Person of the God-

head? John 3:7, 8.

NoTE.—"Like the wind, which is invisible,

yet the effects of which are plainly seen and

felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon

the human heart. That regenerating power,

which no human eye can see, begets a new

life in the soul; it creates a new being in

the image of

God."—Steps to Christ

(1956

ed.), page 57.

"The wind is heard among the branches

of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers;

yet it is invisible, and no man knows

whence it comes or whither it goes. So with

the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart.

It can no more be explained than can the

movements of the wind. . . . By an agency

as unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly

working upon the heart."—The

Desire of

Ages,

page 172.

Questions for Meditation

With how much knowledge concern-

ing God's nature should we be content?

(Deut. 29:29.)

Since God is everywhere present, need

we ever feel lonely?

What spiritual benefits are missed by

those who think of God merely as a force

instead of a person?

Am I a true worshiper? (John 4:23,

24.)

"As an infinite spirit being, God is not

subject to the same limitations as finite

material beings, and consequently is not

so much concerned with visible places and

forms of worship as He is with the spirit

in which men worship

Him."—The Seventh-

day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5,

p. 941.

Lesson 3, for April 18, 1959

God's Ceaseless Work as Creator and Sustainer

MEMORY VERSE:

"Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and

stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out

of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that

walk therein."

am the Lord: that is My name: and My glory will

not

give to another, neither My praise to graven images." Isa. 42:5, 8.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Ministry of Healing," pages 409-426; "The Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in "Review and Her-

ald" of April

[ 10 ]

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 11-13.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 4-7.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God as the Creator

The entire Godhead shared in crea-

tion. Ex. 20:11; Job 33:4 ; John 1:

1-3; Col. 1:13, 15, 16; Heb. 1:2.

The method of creation. Ps. 33:6, 9;

Heb. 11:3.

Creation distinguishes the true God

from the false. 1 Chron. 16:26; Isa.

40:18, 25, 26; Rev. 4:11.

II. God as Provider of Temporal Neces-

sities

God supplies every need. Acts 17:

24, 25, 28.

He waters the earth. Job 38:25-28;

Ps. 147:7, 8; Amos 5:7, 8.

He cares for mankind. Matt. 6:

25-34.

He fed Elijah miraculously. 1 Kings

17:8, 9, 14-16.

III. God as Provider of Spiritual Neces-

sities

He supplied Israel's spiritual needs

in the wilderness. 1 Cor. 10:3, 4.

He will give all needed blessings to

us. Phil. 4:19; Rom. 8:32.

10.

The Holy Spirit aids in spiritual

ministry to man. John 16:12-14.

11.

God uses men to supply spiritual

needs of others. Acts 10:1-6, 9-20,

28.

12.

God satisfied the needs of the Ethi-

opian. Acts 8:26-35.

13.

God cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7.

THE LESSON

Introduction

It is important that we recognize God not

only as the One who made us, but also as the

Being who is continually engaged in up-

holding His creation. We must understand

that He has not left the earth to run itself,

but that He has a personal interest in that

which He has made.

"Thousands become infidels because their

finite minds cannot comprehend the mys-

teries of God. They cannot explain the won-

derful exhibition of divine power in His

providences, therefore they reject the evi-

dences of such power, attributing them to

natural agencies which they can compre-

hend still less. The only key to the mysteries

that surround us is to acknowledge in them

all the presence and power of God. Men

need to recognize God as the Creator of the

universe, One who commands and executes

all things. They need a broader view of

His character, and of the mystery of His

agencies."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 606.

God as the Creator

1. Aside from the Genesis record,

how do we know that the entire God-

head took part in the work of crea-

tion? Ex. 20:11; Job 33:4; John 1:1-3;

Col. 1:13, 15, 16; Heb. 1:2.

Non.—"The Sovereign of the universe

was not alone in His work of beneficence.

He had an associate,—a co-worker who

could appreciate His purposes, and could

share His joy in giving happiness to created

beings. 'In the beginning was the Word, and

the Word was with God, and the Word

was God. The same was in the beginning

with God.' John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word,

the Only Begotten of God, was one with

the eternal Father,—one in nature, in char-

acter, in purpose,—the only being that

could enter into all the counsels and pur-

poses of God. . . . The Father wrought by

His Son in the creation of all heavenly

beings."—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 34.

"The Spirit of God has the role of the

divine Agent of God in all creative acts,

whether of the earth, of nature, of the

church, of the new life, or of the new man.

. This divine Agent has ever been present

to assist in the work of creation and re-

demption."—The

Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary, vol.

1, p. 209.

How did God create the uni-

verse? Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb. 11:3.

NOTE.—"In the creation of the earth, God

was not indebted to pre-existing matter.

`He spake, and it was; . . . He commanded,

and it stood fast' Psalm 33:9. All things,

material or spiritual, stood up before the

Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created

for His own purpose. The heavens and all

the host of them, the earth and all things

therein, came into existence by the breath

of His mouth."—The

Ministry of Healing,

pages 414, 415.

What distinguishes the true God

from all other gods? 1 Chron. 16:26;

Isa. 40:18, 25, 26. Compare Rev. 4:

11.

NoTE.—"The duty to worship God is

based upon the fact that He is the Creator

and that to Him all other beings owe their

existence. And wherever, in the Bible, His

claim to reverence and worship, above the

gods of the heathen, is presented, there is

cited the evidence of His creative power.

`All the gods of the nations are idols: but

the Lord made the heavens.' Psalm 96:5.

. And the holy beings who worship God

in heaven state, as the reason why their

homage is due to Him: 'Thou art worthy,

0 Lord, to receive glory and honor and

power: for Thou hast created all things'

Revelation

4:11."—The Great Controversy,

pages 436, 437.

God as Provider of Temporal

Necessities

What did the apostle Paul de-

dare about our dependence upon God

for temporal needs and even for life

itself? Acts 17:24, 25, 28,

NoTE.—"It is not as the result of a

mechanism, which, once set in motion, con-

tinues its work, that the pulse beats and

breath follows breath. In God we live and

move and have our being. The beating

heart, the throbbing pulse, every nerve and

muscle in the living organism, is kept in

order and activity by the power of an ever-

present God."—The

Ministry of Healing,

page 417.

What evidence do we have in

nature of God's care for the earth?

Job 38:25-28; Ps. 147:7, 8; Amos 5:

7, 8.

NorE.—"Our Father in heaven is the

source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look

at the wonderful and beautiful things of

nature. Think of their marvelous adapta-

tion to the needs and happiness, not only

of man, but of all living creatures. The sun-

shine and the rain, that gladden and re-

fresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains,

all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is

God who supplies the daily needs of all

His creatures."—Steps

to Christ

(1956 ed.),

page 9.

What lesson should man learn

from the way God provides for the

vegetable and animal creation? Matt.

6:25-34.

NorE.—"The great Provider for man and

beast opens His hand and supplies all His

creatures. The birds of the air are not be-

neath His notice. He does not drop the food

into their bills, but He makes provision for

their needs. They must gather the grains He

has scattered for them. They must prepare

the material for their little nests. They must

feed their young. They go forth singing to

their labor, for 'your heavenly Father feed-

eth them.' And 'are ye not much better

than they?' Are not you, as intelligent,

spiritual worshipers, of more value than the

birds of the air? Will not the Author of our

[12

BY NATURAL MEANS OR BY MIRACLES,

BOO SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS.

being, the Preserver of our life, the One who

formed us in His own divine image, provide

for our necessities if we but trust in Him?"

Steps to Christ,

page 123.

During a period of drought in

Israel, in what unusual way did the

Lord provide for Elijah?

Kings 17:

8, 9, 14-16.

NOTE.—When the situation demands it

and when His wisdom determines it best,

God will provide for His people through

miraculous means.

God as Provider of Spiritual

Necessities

In addition to supplying their

physical necessities, what did God

provide for the children of Israel in

the wilderness?

1 Cor.

10:3, 4.

How completely will God satisfy

our physical and spiritual needs? Phil.

4:19; Rom. 8:32.

NOTE.—"It was the Maker of all things

who ordained the wonderful adaptation of

means to end, of supply to need, It was He

who in the material world provided that

every desire implanted should be met. It

was He who created the human soul, with

its capacity for knowing and for loving.

And He is not in Himself such as to leave

the demands of the soul unsatisfied."—

Education,

page 133.

10.

What is the Holy Spirit's part

in providing us with spiritual suste-

nance? John 16:12-14.

NorE.—"Christ has promised the gift of

the Holy Spirit to His church, and the

promise belongs to us as much as to the first

disciples. But like every other promise, it

is given on conditions. There are many

who believe and profess to claim the Lord's

promise; they talk

about

Christ and

about

the Holy Spirit,

yet

receive no benefit. They

do not surrender the soul to be guided and

controlled by the divine agencies. We can-

not use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to

use us. Through the Spirit God works in

His people 'to will and to do of His good

pleasure.' Phil. 2:13. . . . This promised

blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other

blessings in its train. It is given accord-

ing to the riches of the grace of Christ, and

He is ready to supply every soul accord-

ing to the capacity to receive."—The

De-

sire of Ages,

page 672.

11.

Through what means did God

work to satisfy Cornelius's desire for

truth? Acts 10:1-6, 9-20, 28.

12.

In what way did God answer

the Ethiopian's desire for light? Acts

8:26-35.

NOTE.—"We are to be consecrated chan-

nels, through which the heavenly life is to

flow to others. The Holy Spirit is to ani-

mate and pervade the whole church, puri-

fying and cementing

hearts."—Testimonies,

vol. 9, p. 20.

13.

Why can we safely trust God

for every temporal and spiritual need?

1 Peter 5:7.

[ 13 ]

Questions for Meditation

What difference does it make in our

life when we think of God as One who is

continually engaged in supplying the needs

of His creatures rather than as an absentee

landlord?

What does worry indicate about our

knowledge of God?

Which is most nearly correct?

a.. God will make provision for all our

needs without any effort on our part.

God expects us to do all we can to

feed our physical and spiritual na-

tures, and when we do He will see

that we do not lack.

God has given us the tools to work

with and He expects us to provide

for ourselves without His help.

Lesson 4, for April 25, 1959

God's Perfect Character

MEMORY VERSE:

"And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord,

The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in good-

ness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and trans-

gression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." Ex. 34:6, 7.

STUDY HELPS:

"Steps to Christ," pages 9-15 (1956 and pocket eds.); pages 9-18

(1908 ed.); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts;

Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of April 9.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Sabbath afternoon: Survey

entire lesson.

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Monday: Questions 5-8.

Tuesday: Questions 9-11.

Check

Here

❑

Check

Here

Wednesday: Questions

12,

13; read

from Study Helps.

Thursday: Read further from Study

Helps.



❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God Is Love

His nature is love. 1 John 4:8, 16.

His lqve is everlasting. Jer. 31:3.

His love is greater than human love.

Isa. 49:15, 16.

Demonstrated in Christ. John 3:16;

Rom. 5:8.

Nothing can separate us from His

love. Rom. 8:38, 39.

II. God's Mercy and Forgiveness

He is plenteous in mercy. Ps. 86:5;

103:8.

His mercy endures forever. 1 Chron.

16:34; Ps. 103:17; 138:8.

8. His mercy revealed through forgive-

ness. Micah 7:18, 19.

9. Man's part in obtaining mercy. Ex.

20:6; Isa. 55:7.

III. The Long-Suffering of God

10. Mercy and forgiveness of God. Ex.

34:6; Ps. 86:15.

11. Christ's second coming delayed be-

cause He

is long-suffering. 2 Peter

3:9, 15.

IV. God's Unchangeableness

12. His nature is unchanging. Mal. 3:6;

James 1:17.

13. Inspires confidence in Him. Heb. 7:

24, 25; 13:8; 4:16.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The character of God is one of the themes

that we as Christians are urged to study.

"The character of God, His love manifested

in giving His Son to die for the world, and

the beauty of holiness, are exalted themes

for contemplation. These will strengthen the

intellect, and bring man into close com-

munion with the Infinite

One."—Funda-

mentals of Christian Education,

page 49.

God Is Love

With what supreme characteris-

tic is God identified? 1 John 4:8, 16.

NOTE.-"

'God is love.' His nature, His

law, is love. It ever has been ; it ever will

be. . . . Every manifestation of creative

power is an expression of infinite love. . . .

The history of the great conflict between

good and evil, from the time it first began

in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion

and the total eradication of sin, is also a

demonstration of God's unchanging love."

—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 33.

What quality of God's love

should give us great courage? Jer.

31:3.

NorE.—"While the sinner is yet far from

the Father's house, wasting his substance in

a strange country, the Father's heart is

yearning over him; and every longing

awakened in the soul to return to God is

but the tender pleading of His Spirit, woo-

ing, entreating, drawing the wanderer to

his Father's heart of

love."—Steps to Christ

(1956 ed.), page 54.

By what illustration does God

help us to understand His love for

mankind? Isa. 49:15, 16.

NoTE.—"Parents love their children, but

the love of God is larger, broader, deeper

than human love can possibly be. It is im-

measurable."—Christ's

Object Lessons

(1941 ed.), page 142.

In what way has God demon-

strated His love for us? John 3:16;

Rom. 5:8.

NoTE.—"Nothing less than the infinite

sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen

man could express the Father's love to lost

humanity."

"But this great sacrifice was not made in

order to create in the Father's heart a love

for man, not to make Him willing to save.

No, no ! . . The Father loves us, not be-

cause of the great propitiation, but He pro-

vided the propitiation because He loves us.

Christ was the medium through which He

could pour out His infinite love upon a

fallen world. 'God was in Christ, reconciling

the world unto Himself.' 2 Corinthians 5:

19. God suffered with His Son. In the

agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary,

the heart of Infinite Love paid the price

of our redemption."—Steps

to Christ,

pages 14, 13.

How did Paul describe the su-

premacy of God's love as manifested

through Christ? Rom. 8:38, 39.

NOTE.-"All

the paternal love which has

come down from generation to generation

through the channel of human hearts, all

the springs of tenderness which have opened

in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill

to the boundless ocean when compared with

the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue

cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You

may meditate upon it every day of your

life; you may search the Scriptures diligently

in order to understand it; you may summon

every power and capability that God has

given you, in the endeavor to comprehend

the love and compassion of the heavenly

Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond.

You may study that love for ages; yet you

can never fully comprehend the length and

the breadth, the depth and the height, of the

love of God in giving His Son to die for

the world. Eternity itself can never fully

reveal

it."—Testimonies, vol. 5,

p. 740.

[15]

God's Mercy and Forgiveness

In what wonderful characteristic

is God said to be "plenteous"? Ps.

86:5; 103:8.

Of what duration is God's

mercy? 1 Chron. 16:34; Ps. 103:17;

138:8.

What is one way in which God's

mercy is revealed toward us? Micah

7:18, 19.

On what condition will God

show mercy toward sinners and for-

give their transgressions? Ex. 20:6;

Isa. 55:7.

NOTE .—"Let none deceive themselves with

the thought that God, in His great love and

mercy, will yet save even the rejecters of

His grace. The exceeding sinfulness of

sin can be estimated only in the light of

the cross."—Steps

to Christ,

page 31.

"Through Jesus, God's mercy was mani-

fested to men; but mercy does not set aside

justice....

"By His life and His death, Christ proved

that God's justice did not destroy His mercy,

but that sin could be forgiven, and that the

law is righteous, and can be perfectly

obeyed." "The rejecters of His mercy reap

that which they have sown."—The

Desire

of Ages,

pages 762, 764.

The Long-Suffering of God

10.

What trait of God's character is

closely associated with His mercy and

forgiveness? Ex. 34:6; Ps. 86:15.

NOTE.—"The God whom we serve is long-

suffering; 'His compassions fail not.' Lam.

3:22. Throughout the period of probation-

ary time, His Spirit is entreating men to

accept the gift of life. . . . It is Satan's

special device to lead man into sin, and

then leave him there, helpless and hopeless,

fearing to seek for pardon. But God invites,

`Let him take hold of My strength, that he

may make peace with Me ; and he shall make

peace with Me.' Isa. 27:5. In Christ every

provision has been made, every encourage-

ment

offered."—Prophets and Kings,

pages

325, 326.

11.

In what way is God's long-suf-

fering related to the delay in Christ's

second coming? 2 Peter 3:9, 15.

NOTE.—"The forbearance of God has been

very great,—so great that when we con-

sider the continuous insult to His holy

commandments, we marvel. The Omnipo-

tent One has been exerting a restraining

power over His own attributes. But He

will certainly arise to punish the wicked,

who so boldly defy the just claims of the

Decalogue.

"God allows men a period of probation;

but there is a point beyond which divine

patience is exhausted, and the judgments of

God are sure to follow." "The end of God's

forbearance with those who persist in dis-

obedience, is approaching

rapidly."—Proph-

ets and Kings,

page 276.

[1e]

God's Unchangeableness

12.

Why can we be confident that

the Father is still a God of love—

merciful and ready to forgive? Mal.

3:6; James 1:17.

NOTE.—"The rainbow about the throne is

an assurance that God is true; that in Him

is no variableness, neither shadow of turn-

ing. We have sinned against Him and are

undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself

has put into our lips that most wonderful

of pleas: 'Do not abhor us, for Thy name's

sake, do not disgrace the throne of Thy

glory: remember, break not Thy covenant

with us.' Jeremiah 14:21. He has pledged

Himself to give heed to our cry when we

come to Him confessing our unworthiness

and sin. The honor of His throne is staked

for the fulfillment of His word to us."—

Testimonies,

vol. 8, p. 23.

13.

How does the unchangeable

nature of God serve as an anchor to

our spiritual hope? Heb. 7:24, 25;

13:8; 4:16.

NoTE.—"By His spotless life, His obedi-

ence, His death on the cross of Calvary,

Christ interceded for the lost race. And

now, not as a mere petitioner does the Cap-

tain of our salvation intercede for us, but

as a Conqueror claiming His victory. His

offering is complete, and as our Intercessor

He executes His self-appointed work, hold-

ing before God the censer containing His

own spotless merits and the prayers, con-

fessions, and thanksgiving of His people.

Perfumed with the fragrance of His right-

eousness, these ascend to God as a sweet

savor. The offering is wholly acceptable,

and pardon covers all transgression."—

Christ's Object Lessons

(1941 ed.), page 156.

Questions for Meditation

Why is it wrong for me as a Christian

to be unkind and selfish? What command-

ment am I breaking when I thus misrepre-

sent God's character?

Why is God's mercy of infinite im-

portance to us?

What assurance does the knowledge of

God's unchangeableness give me in this

world of change and transition?

Lesson 5, for May 2, 1959

God's Perfect Character—Continued

MEMORY VERSE:

"And

they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the

song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God

Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not

fear Thee, 0 Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy." Rev.

15:3, 4.

STUDY HELPS:

"Early Writings," pages 69-71; "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp. 737-746;

"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help

in "Review and Herald" of April 16.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 11-13.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.

❑

Friday: Review entire lesson.

❑

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

[ 17 ]

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God Is Holy

God's holiness should inspire wor-

ship. Ps. 99:5, 9.

Isaiah humbled by vision of God.

Isa. 6:1-7.

Man urged to emulate God's char-

acter. Lev. 19:2 ; Heb. 12:10, 14.

Angels sing of God's holiness. Rev.

4:8; 15:4, first part.

II. God Is Just

5. The redeemed acknowledge God's

justice. Rev. 15:3.

Abraham's confidence in God's jus-

tice. Gen. 18:25.

God's ways compared with man's.

Ezek. 18:29.

Moses sings of God's justice. Deut.

32:4.

God deals impartially with men. 2

Chron. 19:7; 1 Peter 1:17.

10.

Christ declared to be the Just One.

Acts 3:14.

III. God Is Faithful

11.

God's faithfulness builds confidence

in His word. Deut. 7:9; Heb. 10:23.

12.

He will faithfully save all who come

to Him. 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:24.

13.

Faithfulness to be seen in His fol-

lowers. 1 Cor. 4:2 ; Rev. 2:10.

THE LESSON

Introduction

No amount of study of the character of

God can ever exhaust the subject. "The

years of eternity, as they roll, will bring

richer and still more glorious revelations of

God and of Christ. As knowledge is pro-

gressive, so will love, reverence, and happi-

ness increase. The more men learn of God,

the greater will be their admiration of His

character. As Jesus opens before them the

riches of redemption and the amazing

achievements in the great controversy with

Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with

more fervent devotion, and with more

rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold;

and ten thousand times ten thousand and

thousands of thousands of voices unite to

swell the mighty chorus of praise."-The

Great Controversy,

page 678.

God Is Holy

1. To what feature of God's charac-

ter did David call attention as a reason

why men should worship Him? Ps.

99:5, 9.

NoTE.-"Holiness is the foundation of

God's throne; sin is the opposite of holi-

ness; sin crucified the Son of God. If men

could see how hateful sin is, they would not

tolerate it, nor educate themselves in it. They

would reform in life and character."-Testi-

monies to Ministers,

page 145.

When Isaiah was given a vision

of the holiness of God, what effect did

it have on him? What was done to

his sins? Isa. 6:1-7.

NOTE.-"As Isaiah beheld this revelation

of the glory and majesty of his Lord, he

was overwhelmed with a sense of the purity

and holiness of God. How sharp the con-

trast between the matchless perfection of

his Creator, and the sinful course of those

who, with himself, had long been numbered

among the chosen people of Israel and

Judah

l"-Prophets and Kings,

page 307.

What standard has God set for

us to reach? Lev. 19:2; Heb. 12:10, 14.

NoTE.-"Holiness is not rapture: it is an

entire surrender of the will to God; it is

living by every word that proceeds from

the mouth of God; it is doing the will of

our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in

trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it

is walking by faith and not by sight; it is

relying on God with unquestioning confi-

dence, and resting in His

love."-The Acts

of the Apostles,

page 51.

[ 18 ]

What is the theme of the anthem

of praise offered by heavenly beings?

Rev. 4:8; 15:4, first part.

NOTE.—"Cleanse yourselves from all filth-

iness of the flesh and spirit. The crown-

ing glory of Christ's attributes is His

holiness. The angels bow before Him in ado-

ration, exclaiming, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord

God Almighty.' Revelation 4:8. He is de-

clared to be glorious in His holiness. Study

the character of God. By beholding Christ,

by seeking Him in faith and prayer, you

may become like

Him."—Counsels to

Teachers,

page 402.

God Is Just

When the redeemed sing the

song of Moses and the Lamb, what will

they say concerning God's dealings

with mankind? Rev. 15:3.

NoTE.—"Every question of truth and

error in the long-standing controversy has

now been made plain. The results of re-

bellion, the fruits of setting aside the divine

statutes, have been laid open to the view

of all created intelligences. The working

out of Satan's rule in contrast with the

government of God has been presented to

the whole universe. Satan's own works

have condemned him. God's wisdom, His

justice, and His goodness stand fully vin-

dicated. It is seen that all His dealings in

the great controversy have been conducted

with respect to the eternal good of His

people and the good of all the worlds that

He has created. . . . With all the facts of

the great controversy in view, the whole

universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one

accord declare: 'Just and true are Thy ways,

Thou King of saints.'

"—The Great Con-

troversy,

pages 670, 671.

When God revealed to Abraham

His plan to destroy Sodom, of what

was the patriarch convinced concern-

ing God's justice? Gen. 18:25.

NOTE.—"God alone is the Judge of al

men. Addressing Him thus, Abraham gives

evidence that he knew the One before whom

he stood to be the Supreme Being. Now he

appealed, not to God's grace and pardon,

but to His absolute judicial equity. This

principle had been demonstrated by God

in His extension of probation for the Amor-

ites another 400 years. Their iniquity was

`not yet full' (ch. 15:16). When God con-

sented to spare Sodom if only ten righteous

men could be found within its gates, He

followed the same principle."—The

Seventh-

day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.

p. 330.

How does God compare His

ways with those of men? Ezek. 18:29.

In what words did Moses pro-

claim the justice of God? Deut. 32:4.

NOTE.—"In all the dealings of God with

His people, there is, mingled with His love

and mercy, the most striking evidence of

His strict and impartial justice. This is

exemplified in the history of the Hebrew

people. God had bestowed great blessings

upon Israel. . . . And yet what swift and

severe retribution was visited upon them

for their transgressions

!"—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 469.

[ 19

How is the impartiality and fair-

ness of God manifested? 2 Chron. 19:

7; 1 Peter 1:17.

NoTE.—"No distinction on account of

nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by

God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All

men are of one family by creation, and all

are one through redemption. Christ came

to demolish every wall of partition, to throw

open every compartment of the temple

courts, that every soul may have free access

to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so

full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts

out of Satan's influence those who have

been deluded by his deceptions, and places

them within reach of the throne of God,

the throne encircled by the rainbow of

promise. In Christ there is neither Jew nor

Greek, bond nor

free."—Prophets and Kings,

pages 369, 370.

10.

Besides holiness, what other

divine trait of character was mani-

fested in the life of Christ? Acts 3:14.

God Is Faithful

11.

What trait of God's character

enables us to depend on the promises

contained in His word? Deut. 7:9;

Heb. 10:23.

12.

Why is God's faithfulness im-

portant to those who have accepted

the gospel invitation? 1 Cor. 1:9;

1 Thess. 5:24.

Nora.—There are many who accept God's

offer to become citizens in His kingdom.

Not all, however, will "endure unto the

end." Some will give up the struggle to

perfect the type of character necessary.

Looking at their own weakness, they become

discouraged and turn back into the world.

Those who recognize the faithfulness of God,

however, and who put their dependence in

His mighty power, will at last be numbered

among the overcomers. This can be the ex-

perience of all whb truly believe that "faith-

ful is He that calleth you, who also will

do it."

13.

What is expected in the lives

of Christ's followers? To what ex-

tent? 1 Cor. 4:2; Rev. 2:10.

Nora.—"The present is a season of solemn

privilege and sacred trust to the servants of

God. If these trusts are faithfully kept,

great will be the reward of the faithful

servant when the Master shall say: 'Give

an account of thy stewardship.' The ear-

nest toil, the unselfish work, the patient,

persevering effort, will be rewarded abun-

dantly; Jesus will say: Henceforth I call

you not servants, but friends, guests. The

approval of the Master is not given be-

cause of the greatness of the work per-

formed, because many things have been

gained, but because of the fidelity in even

a few things. It is not the great results we

attain, but the motives from which we act,

that weigh with God. He prizes goodness

and faithfulness more than the greatness

of the work

accomplished."—Testimonies,

vol. 2, pp. 510, 511.

Questions for Meditation

If I truly know Christ, why will I not

claim to be perfect and holy?

True or false? The rich and the poor

will be treated alike by God in the judgment.

In what way is faithfulness important

in the following relations?

My marriage.

My agreements with others.

My religious life.

Sabbath school lessons in Braille are supplied free to the blind upon

request. Address: The Christian Record Benevolent Association, Box 66,

Lincoln 6, Nebraska.

1201

Lesson 6, for May 9, 1959

God's Unsearchable Wisdom

MEMORY VERSE:

"Host thou not known? host thou not heard, that the everlast-

ing God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither

is weary? there is no searching of His understanding." Isa. 40:28.

STUDY HELPS:

"Prophets and Kings," pages 491-502, 551-558; "Fundamentals of

Christian Education," pages 181-185, 444-453; "The Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of

April 23.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey. 0

Sunday: Questions 1-3.



Monday: Questions 4-6.



Tuesday: Questions 7-9.



❑

Check Here

Wednesday: Questions 10-13.



❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.



Friday: Read further from Study

Helps; review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God's Wisdom Compared With Man's

God's thoughts infinitely higher. Isa.

55:8, 9.

Paul's response to God's wisdom.

Rom. 11:33.

Man cannot search out God's wis-

dom. Ps. 147:5; Isa. 40:28.

II. God Knows All Things

He sees the future. Isa. 42:8, 9; 46:

9, 10.

He knows every secret. Ps. 44:21;

Dan. 2:47.

He knows the personal life of each

individual. 1 Chron. 28:9; Ps. 139:

1-6, 14-16.

7. He knows the secrets of the atmos-

phere. Job 37:14-24.

8. He gives guidance to the animal

creation. Job 39:26-29.

III. God's Knowledge of His Creatures

9. He knows the needs of all His

creatures. Heb. 4:13.

10. He supplies the needs of all His

creatures. Ps. 104:21-28; Matt. 6:26.

11. He knows all about our needs. Matt.

10:29-31; Rom. 8:28.

IV. God's Wisdom Available

12. He will impart wisdom to us. James

1:5.

13. He will direct our lives. Prov. 3:

5, 6.

THE LESSON

This provides strong evidence to the de-

vout person that there is a Master Intelli-

gence back of the universe. It indicates that

there must be a God, who is the source of all

wisdom and knowledge, a God whose in-

tellectual might is infinite. This is the pic-

ture that the Bible presents concerning the

true God. Before this inscrutable mani-

festation of knowledge and wisdom, the de-

vout man bows in awe.

Introduction

The frontiers of knowledge are continually

being pressed back. Man is moving from

one discovery to another in such fields as

medicine, mathematics, astronomy, archae-

ology, chemistry, and electronics. The secrets

of the atom have been unlocked, and the

end of invention and research is not yet in

sight.

God's Wisdom Compared With

Man's

What does God say of His

thoughts as compared with man's?

Isa. 55:8, 9.

NOTE.—"No finite mind can fully compre-

hend the existence, the power, the

wisdom,

or the works of the Infinite One. Says the

sacred writer: `Canst thou by searching

find out God? canst thou find out the Al-

mighty unto perfection? It is as high as

heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than

hell; what canst thou know? The measure

thereof is longer than the earth, and broader

than the sea.' Job 11:7-9. The mightiest

intellects of earth cannot comprehend God.

Men may be ever searching, ever learning,

and still there is an infinity beyond."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 116. (Italics

supplied.)

As Paul contemplated God's

dealings with men, what exclamation

did he make concerning God's wis-

dom? Rom. 11:33.

NorE.—"If it were possible for created

beings to attain to a full understanding of

God and His works, then, having reached

this point, there would be for them no

further discovery of truth, no growth in

knowledge, no further development of mind

or heart. God would no longer be supreme;

and man, having reached the limit of

knowledge and attainment, would cease to

advance. Let us thank God that it is not so.

God is infinite; in Him are 'all the treasures

of wisdom and knowledge.' Colossians 2:3.

And to all eternity men may be ever search-

ing, ever learning, and yet never exhaust the

treasures of His wisdom, His goodness, and

His power."—Steps

to Christ

(1956 ed.),

page 109.

What is man unable to search

out? Ps. 147:5; Isa. 40:28.

NorE.—"God is the source of all wisdom.

He is infinitely wise and just and good. . . .

"If men could see for a moment beyond

the range of finite vision, if they could

catch a glimpse of the Eternal, every mouth

would be stopped in its boasting. Men

living in this little atom of a world are

finite; God has unnumbered worlds that

are obedient to His laws and are conducted

with reference to His glory. When men have

gone as far in scientific research as their

limited powers will permit, there is still an

infinity beyond what they can apprehend."

—Counsels to Teachers,

page 66.

God Knows All Things

What is one of the evidences of

God's wisdom? Isa. 42:8, 9; 46:9, 10.

NOTE.—Only God is able to see the future.

What will take place during the coming

years is as well known to Him as the hap-

penings of yesterday. Then "let us trust

Him. Worry is blind and cannot discern

the future. But Jesus sees the end from

the beginning, and in every difficulty He has

His way prepared to bring

relief."—Testi-

monies, vol. 7,

p. 298.

What is said concerning God's

knowledge of secrets? Ps. 44:21;

Dan. 2:27, 28.

How much does God know about

each person and his activities? 1

Chron. 28:9; Ps. 139:1-6, 14-16.

NoTE.—"If we were to cherish an habitual

impression that God sees and hears all that

we do and say, and keeps a faithful record

of our words and actions, and that we must

meet it all, we would fear to sin. Let the

young ever remember that wherever they

are, and whatever they do, they are in the

presence of God. No part of our conduct

escapes observation. We cannot hide our

ways from the Most High. Human laws,

though sometimes severe, are often trans-

gressed without detection, and hence with

impunity. But not so with the law of God.

The deepest midnight is no cover for the

guilty one. He may, think himself alone;

but to every deed there is an unseen wit-

ness. The very motives of his heart are

[ 22 ]

GOD KNOWS THE SECRETS

¢9,9-G

OF HIS UNIVERSE.

open to divine inspection. Every act, every

word, every thought, is as distinctly marked

as though there were only one person in the

whole world, and the attention of heaven

were centered upon

him."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

pages 217, 218.

With what phenomena of nature

is God familiar? Job 37:14-24.

What is one way in which the

wisdom of God is manifested by the

creatures of His hand? Job 39:26-29.

NorE.—In Job, chapters 37 to 39, many

examples are given of God's wisdom as re-

vealed in nature, of which those relating to

the hawk and the eagle are typical. Every

phase of nature is fully understood by God,

for it is by His wisdom that He has created

all things, including the laws that govern

nature.

God's Knowledge of His Creatures

How complete is God's knowl-

edge of the universe? Heb. 4:13.

•

10.

What does God provide for His

creatures? Ps. 104:21-28; Matt. 6:26.

11.

Why should we trust God to

care for us? Matt. 10:29-31; Rom. 8:

28.

NOTE.—"Though their present needs are

supplied, many are unwilling to trust God

for the future, and they are in constant anx-

iety lest poverty shall come upon them, and

their children shall be left to suffer. Some

are always anticipating evil, or magnifying

the difficulties that really exist, so that their

eyes are blinded to the many blessings which

demand their gratitude. The obstacles they

encounter, instead of leading them to seek

help from God, the only source of strength,

separate them from Him, because they

awaken unrest and repining.

"Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why

should we be ungrateful and distrustful?

Jesus is our friend; alI heaven is interested

in our welfare."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

pages 293, 294.

God's Wisdom Available

12.

When we need wisdom, to what

source are we invited to go? James

1:5.

NOTE.—"The strength of those who love

and serve God will be renewed day by day.

The understanding of the Infinite is placed

at their service, that in carrying out His

purposes they may not err. . . . God is able

and willing to bestow upon His servants all

the strength they need and to give them the

wisdom that their varied necessities demand.

He will more than fulfill the highest ex-

pectations of those who put their trust in

Him."—The Acts of the Apostles,

page 242.

13.

On what condition has God

promised to direct our lives? Prov.

3:5, 6.

NorE.—"Entire trust in God is the only

logical position for Christians to take. God

has all knowledge and all power, and fore-

sees and prepares against all the troubles

that come upon man as sudden emergencies.

For anyone to rely on his own understand-

[237

ing under such circumstances is foolish in-

deed. It is also folly to alternate between

trust in self and trust in God.

"To place little confidence in one's own

understanding does not mean that a man

must lay aside intelligence and give up the

power of choice. Intelligence is needed to

determine from the word of God and from

God's guiding providences what is the divine

will. A will strengthened and cleansed by

God is needed if one is to follow a true

course through to the end.

"He shall direct.

Or, 'it is He who will

direct.' The Hebrew emphasizes that God

Himself will make straight and plain the

path of His servant, when His servant

acknowledges Him in every phase of life's

many activities."—The

Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary,

vol. 3, pp. 955,

956.

Questions for Meditation

Since God could see the future and

knew that man would sin, why, do you

think, did He create man?

What viewpoint must one maintain if

education and a continual search for knowl-

edge are to be a blessing instead of a curse?

Why is God's leading so much more

remarkable in some lives than in others?

Lesson 7, for May 16, 1959

God's Universal Government

MEMORY VERSE:

"Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory,

and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the

earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord, and Thou art exalted as head

above all." 1 Chron.

29:11.

STUDY HELPS:

"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 33-43; "Prophets and Kings,"

pages 514-521; "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp. 749-754; "The Seventh-day Ad-

ventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in "Review and

Herald" of April 30.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 12-14.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 5-8.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 9-11.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God Is a King



II.

Worship due Him as King. Ps. 29:

2, 10; 47:2.

He will reign forever. Ex. 15:18;

Ps. 10:16.

He dwells in heaven. 1 Kings 8:30,



•

34; Ps. 123:1; Eccl.

5:2.

His throne located in the heavenly

temple. Ps. 11:4; 102:19; Rev. 11:

19.

[ 24 ]

Earthly temples cannot contain God.

1 Kings 8:27; Acts 17:24.

God also dwells with men. Isa. 57:15.

The Kingdom of God

His kingdom is founded on right-

eousness and judgment. Ps. 97:2,

margin; Heb. 1:8.

It embraces the entire universe.

Deut. 10:14 ; Ps. 103 :19.

The work of angels in God's govern-

ment. 2 Chron. 16:9; Ps. 139:7;

Matt. 18:10.

Ill. Earthly Governments Under God's

Control

10.

God rules by His own power. Ps.

66:7.

11.

Men receive authority from God.

Dan. 4:17.

12.

He ordains earthly governments.

Rom. 13:1-4.

13.

Allegiance due to both divine and

earthly governments. Matt. 22:21.

14.

God's government is supreme. Rev.

17:14; 12:13.

THE LESSON

NoTE.—"Heaven is a good place. I long

to be there, and behold my lovely Jesus,

who gave His life for me,

and be changed

into His glorious image. Oh, for language

to express the glory of the bright world to

come ! I thirst for the living streams that

make glad the city of our

God."—Early

Writings,

page 39.

"Language is altogether too feeble to at-

tempt a description of heaven. As the scene

rises before me, I am lost in amazement.

Carried away with the surpassing splendor

and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and

exclaim, 'Oh, what love ! what wondrous

love!' The most exalted language fails to

describe the glory of heaven or the match-

less depths of a Saviour's

love."--Ibid.,

289.

4. Where in heaven is God's throne

located ? Ps. 11:4; 102:19; Rev. 11:19.

Introduction

The infinite God is King of kings and Lord

of lords. 1 Tim. 6:15. But if He is a king,

He must have a kingdom. He must also

have a government and laws by which He

rules His subjects. The Scriptures make this

very plain.

Before the foundation of the world, Luci-

fer endeavored to wrest from God control

of the government of the universe. He failed

in this attempt. God might have destroyed

him at once, but He did not because He

desired to "show what must be the fruit

of setting aside the divine authority."

Through this experience He would demon-

strate "that with the existence of God's

government is bound up the well-being of

all the creatures He has

made."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 43.

God Is a King

Why should earth's inhabitants

give glory to God? Ps. 29:2, 10; 47:2.

NOTE.—"God is our Father, who loves

and cares for us as His children; He is also

the great King of the

universe."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing

(1956 ed.),

page 107.

How long will God reign as

King? Ex. 15:18; Ps. 10:16.

What term do Bible writers use

to describe the place where God

dwells? 1 Kings 8:30, 34; Ps. 123:1;

Eccl. 5:2.

What do Solomon and Paul say

concerning the ability of temples to

contain God? 1 Kings 8:27; Acts 17:

24.

NOTE.—"Although God dwells not in

temples made with hands, yet He honors

with His presence the assemblies of His

people. He has promised that when they

come together to seek Him, to acknowledge

their sins, and to pray for one another, He

will meet with them by His Spirit. But

those who assemble to worship Him should

put away every evil thing. Unless they

worship Him in spirit and truth and in the

beauty of holiness, their coming together

will be of no

avail."—Prophets and Kings,

page 50.

Although God dwells in heaven,

where else does He abide? Isa. 57:15.

[25

GOD'S



4:82

NoTE.—This text does not in any sense

minimize the greatness of God by stating

that He is able to dwell in human hearts

that are surrendered to His will. Rather,

it exalts Him, for it shows Him to be omni-

present by His Spirit. God continues to

rule the vast universe from His throne in

heaven while at the same time through His

Spirit He dwells with the humble believer.

No other god can do this.

The Kingdom of God

On what principles has God

founded His government? Ps. 97:2,

margin; Heb. 1:8.

Over how much territory does

God rule? Deut. 10:14; Ps. 103:19.

NOTE.—"God's government included not

only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all

the worlds that He had created."—Patri-

archs

and Prophets,

page 41. It is evident

that the government of God includes the

entire universe.

In what way does God keep in

constant communication with all parts

of His kingdom? 2 Chron. 16:9; Ps.

139:7; Matt. 18:10.

NoTE.—"The Bible shows us God in His

high and holy place, not in a state of in-

activity, not in silence and solitude, but

surrounded by ten thousand times ten thou-

sand and thousands of thousands of holy

beings, all waiting to do His will. Through

these messengers He is in active communi-

cation with every part of His dominion.

By His Spirit He is everywhere present.

Through the agency of His Spirit and His

angels He ministers to the children of men."

—The Ministry of Healing,

page 417.

"The angels of God are ever passing

from earth to heaven, and from heaven to

earth. The miracles of Christ for the afflicted

and suffering were wrought by the power

of God through the ministration of the

angels. And it is through Christ, by the

ministration of His heavenly messengers,

UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

2.039



wac..n moss.

that every blessing comes from. God to us.

In taking upon Himself humanity, our

Saviour unites His interests with those of

the fallen sons and daughters of Adam,

while through His divinity He grasps the

throne of God. And thus Christ is the

medium of communication of men with God,

and of God with

men."—The Desire of

Ages,

page 143.

Earthly Governments Under God's

Control

10.

By what power does God rule?

Ps. 66:7.

NoTE.—"He ruleth by His power for-

ever." Only God is responsible to Himself

alone.

11.

From whom do earthly rulers

receive their kingdoms? Dan 4:17.

NOTE.—"In the annals of human history

the growth of nations, the rise and fall of

empires, appear as dependent on the will

and prowess of man. The shaping of events

seems, to a great degree, to be determined

by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in

the word of God the curtain is drawn aside,

and we behold, behind, above, and through

all the play and counterplay of human in-

terests and power and passions, the agencies

[ 26 ]

of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently

working out the counsels of His own will."

—Education,

page 173.

12.

Why are we counseled to submit

ourselves to earthly governments?

Rom. 13:1-4.

13.

What did Jesus say about our

allegiance to divine and earthly

governments? Matt. 22:21.

14.

In Satan's attempt to destroy

God's people before Christ's return,

against whom is he actually making

war? Rev. 17:14; 12:13.

NorE.—In seeking to destroy God's peo-

ple, Satan believes that he can thus be-

come the undisputed ruler of this world,

with no one to resist his authority. But

he fails to recognize that God still controls

this earth. Jesus is with His people, and

fights for them, overcoming Satan and his

hosts. God's government remains supreme.

Questions for Meditation

If we were always sharply conscious

of the fact that angels are taking to heaven

a record of our lives, would we live differ-

ently?

When there is a conflict between the

government of God and my civil govern-

ment, what principle should guide me in

my allegiance?

As the great controversy draws to a

close, what will determine loyalty to God's

government?

Lesson 8, for May 23, 1959

God's Immutable Law

MEMORY VERSE:

"For what the

law could not do, in that it was weak through the

flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be ful-

filled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:3,

STUDY HELPS:

"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing" 1956 ed., pp. 45-52 (1943

ed., pages 73-83); "The Great Controversy," pages 492-504 (1950 subscrip-

tion ed., pp. 487-498); "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 363-373; "The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in

"Review and Herald" of May 7.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.



❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.



❑

Tuesday: Questions 8-11.



❑

Cheek Here

Wednesday: Questions 12-14.



❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.



❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Helps; review entire lesson.



❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. Nature of God's Law

1. Based on love. Rom. 13:10.

[ 27

Requires love to God and man.

Matt. 22:37-40.

Perfect. Ps.

19:7.

Holy, just, good, and spiritual.

(

Rom.

7:12, 14.

Eternal. Ps. 111:7, 8; Matt. 5:17, 18.

Immutable. Ps.

89:34.

II. Purpose of God's Law

To reveal His will to man. Ps. 40:8;

Rom. 2:18.

To point out sin. Rom. 3:20; 7:7.

To serve as the standard of judg-

ment. Eccl. 12:13, 14; James 2:12.

III. Man's Relation to God's Law

10. The righteous will obey it. John

14:15; 1 John 5:3.

11.

Obeying it brings peace. Ps. 119:

165; Jer. 7:23.

12.

Warnings against breaking it. Matt.

5:17-19; Rev. 22:18, 19.

13.

Can be kept through Christ. Rom.

8:3, 4; Heb. 8:10.

14.

The obedient will enter heaven.

Matt. 7:21; Rev. 14:12.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"There can be no government without

law."-Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 49.

Thus, since God is King of the universe, and

since He reigns over all, He must have a

law by which to rule. That law is spoken

of in the Scriptures as the royal law. James

2:8. It is "the foundation of His [God's]

government in heaven and on earth."-Steps

to Christ

(1956 ed.), page 24.

"The law of God is as sacred as Himself.

It is a revelation of His will, a transcript

of His character, the expression of divine

love and wisdom. The harmony of creation

depends upon the perfect conformity of

all beings, of everything, animate and in-

animate, to the law of the Creator. God

has ordained laws for the government, not

only of living beings, but of all the opera-

tions of nature. Everything is under fixed

laws, which cannot be disregarded. But

while everything in nature is governed by

natural laws, man alone, of all that in-

habits the earth, is amenable to moral law."

-Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 52. This

moral law, the Ten Commandments, is the

subject of our study this week.

Nature of God's Law

1. What attribute of God's charac-

ter forms the basis of His law? Rom.

13:10.

NoTE.-"The law given upon Sinai was

the enunciation of the principle of love, a

revelation to earth of the law of heaven."

-Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

(1956 ed.), page 46.

According to Jesus, what two

commandments summarize the divine

law? Matt. 22:37-40.

NorE.-As a means of helping men see

that law-keeping necessitates a demonstra-

tion of love, Christ told the story of the

good Samaritan. "The Samaritan had

obeyed the dictates of a kind and loving

heart, and in this had proved himself a

doer of the law. Christ bade the lawyer,

'Go, and do thou likewise.' Doing, and not

saying merely, is expected of the children of

God. 'He that saith he abideth in Him

ought himself also so to walk, even as He

walked.' 1 John

2:6."-The Desire of Ages,

page 504.

How do we know that God's law

cannot be improved? Ps. 19:7.

NOTE.-"Since 'the law of the Lord is

perfect,' every variation from it must be

evil."-The Desire of Ages,

page 308. "From

the first, the great controversy had been

upon the law of God. Satan had sought

to prove that God was unjust, that His law

was faulty, and that the good of the uni-

verse required it to be changed. In attack-

ing the law, he aimed to overthrow the

authority of its Author. In the contro-

versy it was to be shown whether the divine

statutes were defective and subject to

change, or perfect and

immutable."-Patri-

archs and Prophets,

page 69.

What characteristics does Paul

ascribe to the law? Rom. 7:12, 14.

[281

For how long will the law en-

dure? Ps. 111:7, 8; Matt. 5:17, 18.

NoTE.—Here He teaches, not merely what

the claims of God's law had been, and were

then, but that these claims should hold as

long as the heavens and the earth remain.

The law of God is as immutable as His

throne. It will maintain its claims upon

mankind in all

ages."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 365.

How may we be certain that

God's law will not be changed? Ps.

89:34.

NorE.—"The law of God, from its very

nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation

of the will and the character of its Author.

God is love, and His law is love. Its two

great principles are love to God and love

to man. . . . Such a law, being an ex-

pression of the mind and will of God, must

be as enduring as its Author."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 467.

Purpose of God's Law

What essential information does

God's law impart to mankind? Ps.

40:8; Rom. 2:18.

NOTE.—God's will is revealed through

His law. •When we disobey the law, we re-

ject His will for us. It is not the greatness

of the act of disobedience that constitutes

sin, but the fact of variance from God's

expressed will in the least particular; for

this shows that there is yet communion

between the soul and sin. The heart is

divided in its service. There is a virtual de-

nial of God, a rebellion against the laws

of His government. . . .

"Whenever men choose their own way,

they place themselves in controversy with

God. . . . In disregarding the will of God,

they are placing themselves on the side of

Satan, the enemy of God and man."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

(1956 ed.), pages 51, 52.

Besides being a revelation of

God's will for man, what other im-

portant purpose does the law serve?

Rom. 3:20; 7:7.

NOTE.—"The law reveals to man his sins,

but it provides no remedy. While it promises

life to the obedient, it declares that death

is the portion of the transgressor. The

gospel of Christ alone can free him from

the condemnation or the defilement of sin.

. . . Without the law, men have no just

conception of the purity and holiness of

God or of their own guilt and uncleanness.

They have no true conviction of sin and

feel no need of repentance. Not seeing their

lost condition as violators of God's law,

they do not realize their need of the aton-

ing blood of Christ."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

pages 467, 468.

By what standard will our lives

be measured in the judgment? Eccl.

12:13, 14; James 2:12.

NOTE.—"The written word, the law of

God, will measure the character of every

man and condemn all whom this unerring

test shall declare wanting."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 268.

Man's Relation to God's Law

10.

What relation to His law will

be sustained by those who claim to

love God? John 14:15; 1 John 5:3.

129

]

NorE.—"There are only two classes in the

world today, and only two classes will be

recognized in the judgment—those who vio-

late God's law and those who obey it. Christ

gives the test by which to prove our loyalty

or disloyalty. 'If ye love Me,' He says,

`keep My commandments.... He that hath

My commandments, and keepeth them, he

it is that loveth

Me.' "—Christ's Object

Lessons

(1941 ed.), page 283.

11.

What blessing will be given on

this earth to those who obey God's

law? Ps. 119:165; Jer. 7:23.

12.

What warning is issued against

all who might willfully break the law

and encourage others to disobey it?

Matt. 5:17-19; Rev. 22:18, 19.

NOTE.—"Such are the warnings which

God has given to guard men against chang-

ing in any manner that which He has re-

vealed or commanded. These solemn denun-

ciations apply to all who by their influence

lead men to regard lightly the law of God.

They should cause those to fear and tremble

who flippantly declare it a matter of little

consequence whether we obey God's law or

not. All who exalt their own opinions above

divine revelation, all who would change

the plain meaning of Scripture to suit their

own convenience, or for the sake of con-

forming to the world, are taking upon them-

selves a fearful responsibility."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 268.

13.

What provision has been made

to enable men to obey the moral law?

Rom. 8:3, 4; Heb. 8:10.

NOTE.—"The same law that was engraved

upon the tables of stone, is written by the

Holy Spirit upon the tables of the heart. In-

stead of going about to establish our own

righteousness, we accept the righteousness

of Christ. His blood atones for our sins.

His obedience is accepted for us. Then the

heart renewed by the Holy Spirit will bring

forth 'the fruits of the Spirit.' Through

the grace of Christ we shall live in obedience

to the law of God written upon our hearts."

—Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 372.

14.

Who will be chosen as subjects

of God's eternal kingdom? Matt. 7:

21; Rev. 14:12.

Questions for Meditation

We know that suffering follows the

violation of natural law. Is this also true

with the moral law?

Since the law is spiritual, what will it

do for me if I embrace it? If I reject it?

Will the righteous be admitted to

heaven as a reward for obedience, or will

this experience be granted because through

faith they have demonstrated their harmony

with God's principles by obedience?

Lesson 9, for May 30, 1959

God's Sacred Name

MEMORY VERSE:

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My

God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My

God, and the name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which

cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new

name." Rev. 3:12.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," vol. 1, pp. 170-

173; "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 303-314; Lesson Help in "Review and

Herald" of May 14.

[301

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

Wednesday: Questions 12-14.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

Monday: Questions 5-8.

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 9-11.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. Sacred Nature and Greatness of God's

Name

God's name is holy and reverend.

Ps. 99:3; 111:9.

It will endure forever. Ps. 135:13.

It reveals His character. Ex. 3:13,

14; 34:14; Isa. 1:4; 57:15.

Why it should be praised. Ps. 148:5,

13.

Worthy of continual praise. Ps. 34:

1; 113:3.

II. Man's Attitude Toward God's Name

6. Warning against careless use. Ex.

20:7.

God's name to be hallowed. Matt.

6:9.

Blasphemy punished by death. Lev.

24:10-16.

Jews shocked at Christ's claim. John

8:58, 59; 10:33.

10.

Man to glorify and reverence God's

name. 1 Chron. 16:25-29; Ps. 95:

1-6.

III. God's Name and Salvation

11.

Salvation in His name. Acts 4:12 ;

Matt. 28:19.

12.

Christ's name to be exalted. Eph.

1:17-23 ; Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 19:16.

13.

We are to pray in the name of Jesus.

John 16:23, 24.

14.

His name to be given to redeemed.

Rev. 3:12; 14:1; 22:4.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"Since names meant so much to the Semite

mind, it was important for Moses to re-

veal to his people the true nature of their

God, who was now ready to deliver them

from bondage....

"God therefore revealed to Moses, or

rather explained to him,

the name by which

He had made Himself known to Abraham

at the making of the covenant (Gen. 15:7).

In Hebrew as in English, this name is a

form of the verb 'to be,' and implies that

its possessor is the eternal, self-existing One.

. Its all-embracing universality precluded

any comparison of the God of the Israelites

to the deities of Egypt and other nations.

It was designed to provide Moses and his

people with strong consolation in their

affliction and powerful support for their

confidence in the realization of His purpose

to deliver them....

"From the Hebrew word translated as

'I am' comes the derived form

Y ahweh. . . .

The R.V. of 1885 and A.S.V. of 1901 trans-

literate

Yahweh

as 'Jehovah.' To the Jews

this has ever been the sacred name by which

the true God is distinguished from all false

gods."-The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, vol.

1, p. 511.

Sacred Nature and Greatness of

God's Name

What characteristics does David

ascribe to God's name? Ps. 99:3;

111:9.

For how long will God's name

endure? Ps. 135:13.

NOTE.-Behind the simple statement that

God's name will endure forever are other

profound truths. His name will endure be-

[ 31 ]

IN ISRAEL BLASPHEMY WAS

PUNISHED BY STONING.

50.2

cause He Himself is from everlasting to

everlasting. And His name will not change,

for He Himself is unchanging. He is the

same yesterday, today, and forever.

What are some of the names that

God uses to represent His character to

mankind? Ex. 3:13, 14; 34:14; Isa.

1:4; 57:15.

Why should we praise God's

name? Ps. 148:5, 13.

When is it appropriate to praise

God? Ps. 34:1; 113:3. Compare Ps.

150.

NOTE.—God does not expect that we shall

repeat His name over and over like a chant.

We can praise Him from the heart without

giving audible expression to our feelings,

and we can bring praise to His name by

revealing His character to others.

Man's Attitude Toward God's Name

What warning concerning the

careless use of God's name is contained

in the third commandment of the

Decalogue? Ex. 20:7.

NorE.—"This commandment not only

prohibits false oaths and common swearing,

but it forbids us to use the name of God

in a light or careless manner, without re-

gard to its awful significance. By the

thoughtless mention of God in common con-

versation, by appeals to Him in trivial mat-

ters, and by the frequent and thoughtless

repetition of His name, we dishonor Him.

`Holy and reverend is His name.' Psalm

111:

9. All should meditate upon His majesty, His

purity and holiness, that the heart may be

impressed with a sense of His exalted char-

acter; and His holy name should be uttered

with reverence and

solemnity."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

pages 306, 307.

In the Lord's Prayer, how is the

sacredness of God's name expressed?

Matt. 6:9.

NorE.—"To hallow the name 'of the Lord

requires that the words in which we speak

of the Supreme Being be uttered with rev-

erence. . . . We are never in any manner to

treat lightly the titles or appellations of the

Deity. In prayer we enter the audience

chamber of the Most High ; and we should

come before Him with holy awe. The angels

veil their faces in His presence. The cheru-

bim and the bright and holy seraphim ap-

proach His throne with solemn reverence.

How much more should we, finite, sinful

beings, come in a reverent manner before

the Lord, our Maker

!"—Thoughts From the

Mount of Blessing

(1956 ed.), page 106.

In ancient times, how did God

show the serious nature of blasphemy?

Lev. 24:10-16.

NOTE.—"Both love and justice require it

to be shown that utterances prompted by

malice against God are a great sin. The

retribution visited upon the first offender

would be a warning to others, that God's

name is to be held in reverence. But had

this man's sin been permitted to pass un-

punished, others would have been demoral-

ized; and as the result, many lives must

eventually have been sacrificed. . . . The

sins of blasphemy and willful Sabbathbreak-

ing received the same punishment, being

equally an expression of contempt for the

authority of

God."—Patriarchs and Proph-

ets,

pages 408, 409.

What was the reaction of the

Jews when Christ claimed one of the

titles belonging to Deity? John 8:58,

59; 10:33.

NoTE.—"Silence fell upon the vast as-

sembly. The name of God, given to Moses

to express the idea of the eternal presence,

had been claimed as His own by this Gal-

ilean Rabbi. He had announced Himself to

be the self-existent One, He who had been

promised to Israel, 'whose goings forth

have been from of old, from the days of

eternity.' Micah 5:2, margin."—The

De-

sire of Ages,

pages 469, 470.

10.

What attitude should we as-

sume when we come into the presence

of God in prayer? Why? 1 Chron.

16:25-29; Ps. 95:1-6.

NcrrE.---"I saw that God's holy name

should be used with reverence and awe.

The words God Almighty are coupled to-

gether and used by some in prayer in a

careless, thoughtless manner, which is dis-

pleasing to Him. Such have no realizing

sense of God or the truth, or they would

not speak so irreverently of the great and

dreadful God, who is soon to judge them

in the last day. Said the angel, 'Couple

them not together; for fearful is His name.'

Those who realize the greatness and majesty

of - God, will take His name on their lips

with holy awe. He dwelleth in light un-

approachable; no man can see Him and

live. I saw that these things will have to be

understood and corrected before the church

can prosper."—Early

Writings,

page 122.

God's Name and Salvation

11.

How important is the divine

name in God's plan for saving men?

Acts 4:12; Matt. 28:19.

NoTE.—"Christ has made baptism the sign

of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He

has made this a positive condition with

which all must comply who wish to be

acknowledged as under the authority of the

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Be-

fore man can find a home in the church,

before passing the threshold of God's

spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the im-

press of the divine name,

'The Lord our

Righteousness.'

Jeremiah 23:6." —

Testi-

monies,

vol. 6, p. 91.

12.

Because of Christ's unselfish

part in the plan of salvation, how will

His name be honored? Eph. 1:17-23;

Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 19:16.

NoTE.—"Before the universe has been

clearly presented the great sacrifice made by

the Father and the Son in man's behalf. The

hour has come when Christ occupies His

rightful position and is glorified above

principalities and powers and every name

that is named. It was for the joy that

was set before Him—that He might bring

many sons unto glory—that He endured the

cross and despised the shame. And in-

conceivably great as was the sorrow and the

shame, yet greater is the joy and the glory."

—The Great Controversy,

page 671.

13.

In whose name is the Christian

to present his petition to the Father?

John 16:23, 24.

NOTE.—"To pray in the name of Jesus

is something more than a mere mention of

that name at the beginning and the ending

of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and

spirit of Jesus, while we believe His

promises, rely upon His grace, and work

His

works."—Steps to Christ

(1956 ed.),

pages 100, 101.

14.

What wonderful promise will

be fulfilled to the redeemed? Rev. 3:

12; 14:1; 22:4.

NoTE.—"All the treasures of the universe

will be open to the study of God's re-

deemed. Unfettered by mortality, they

wing their tireless flight to worlds afar—

worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the

spectacle of human woe, and rang with

[ 38

songs of gladness at the tidings of a ran-

somed soul. With unutterable delight the

children of earth enter into the joy and the

wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the

treasures of knowledge and understanding

gained through ages upon ages in contempla-

tion of God's handiwork. With undimmed

vision they gaze upon the glory of crea-

tion-suns and stars and systems, all in

their appointed order circling the throne of

Deity. Upon all things, from the least to

the greatest, the Creator's name is written,

and in all are the riches of His power dis-

played."-The

Great Controversy,

pages

677, 678.

Questions for Meditation

Why should we not continually re-

peat God's name, even in prayer?

In view of the sacredness of God's

name, why should we guard our speech

against the use of such bywords as "my

goodness," "my word," "mercy," "gracious,"

etc.?

What is meant by having the Father's

name written in our foreheads?

Lesson 10, for June 6, 1959

God's Omnipotence

MEMORY VERSE:

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to

present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to

the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power,

both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24, 25.

STUDY HELPS:

"Testimonies," vol. 4, pp. 287-290; "Education," pages 102-108;

"Counsels to Teachers," pages 185-190; "Testimonies to Ministers," pages

174-176: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts;

Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of May 21.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check

Here

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 11-14.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 4-7.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God the Source of All Power

God the source of power forever.

1 Chron. 29:11, 12; Ps. 62:11; Matt.

6:13.

Nothing impossible for God. Job

42:2; Mark 10:27.

He upholds nature. Ps. 104:14; Isa.

40:26; Jer. 5:22; 51:15.

II. God's Power in Dealing With Men

4. Destroyed the antediluvians and

Sodomites. Gen. 6:5-7; 7:18-23;

19:24-26.

34]

Shown in judgments. Isa. 26:9.

Shown through the birth of Isaac.

Gen. 18:14; 21:1, 2.

In bringing Israel out of Egypt.

Deut 4:37.

By His dealings with the Hebrew

children. Dan. 3:17, 28; 6:16, 19-23.

Adequate for every emergency. Ps.

107:2-6, 23-31; Jonah 1:17; 2:1, 2,

10.

God's Power to Save Men

10. Gospel is power for salvation. Rom.

1:16.

11.

Power of the resurrection. Eph.

1:18-20.

12.

God's power defeats Satan. Luke

9:42, 43 ; Col. 1:12, 13.

13. Will give victory to saints. Eph. 3:



14. All power behind the church. Matt.

20; Phil. 1:6; Jude 24, 25.



28:18.

THE LESSON

must be sent to give moisture to the thirsty

fields, the sun must impart heat, electricity

must be conveyed to the buried seed. The

life which the Creator has implanted, He

alone can call forth. Every seed grows,

every plant develops, by the power of God."

—Christ's Object Lessons

(1941), page 63.

"It is by the mighty power of the Infinite

One that the elements of nature in earth

and sea and sky are kept within bounds.

And these elements He uses for the happi-

ness of His creatures."—Prophets

and Kings,

page 134.

Introduction

"Nature testifies that One infinite in power

. . . created the earth. . . . The everlasting

hills tell us of His power....

"The mighty power that works through

all nature and sustains all things is not, as

some men of science represent, merely an

all-pervading principle, an actuating energy.

God is a Spirit; yet He is a personal Be-

ing; for so He has revealed Himself. . . .

The things of nature are an expression of

God's character and power; but we are

not to regard nature as God. . . .

"It is not by inherent power that year

by year the earth yields its bounties and

continues its march around the sun. The

hand of the Infinite One is perpetually at

work guiding this planet. It is God's power

continually exercised that keeps the earth in

position in its rotation....

"It is by His power that vegetation is

caused to flourish, that every leaf appears,

every flower blooms, every fruit develops."

—The Ministry of Healing,

pages 411-416.

God the Source of All Power

Who is the source of all power,

and for how long will this be so?

1 Chron. 29:11, 12; Ps. 62:11; Matt.

6:13.

What is the extent of God's

power? Job 42:2; Mark 10:27.

How does nature demonstrate

the continual exercise of God's power?

Ps. 104:14; Isa. 40:26; Jer. 5:22; 51:15.

NorE.—"There is life in the seed, there is

power in the soil; but unless an infinite

power is exercised day and night, the seed

will yield no returns. The showers of rain

God's Power In Dealing With Men

What examples of God's power

to destroy have been recorded in the

Inspired Word? Gen. 6:5-7; 7:18-23;

19:24-26.

For what reason does God some-

times allow natural disasters? Isa.

26:9.

NOTE.—The same God who created our

world and maintains it, often demonstrates

His power through nature in order that men

might think of Him. "As men have• beheld

burning mountains pouring forth fire and

flames, and torrents of melted ore, drying

up rivers, overwhelming populous cities,

and everywhere spreading ruin and desola-

tion, the stoutest heart has been filled with

terror, and infidels and blasphemers have

been constrained to acknowledge the in-

finite power of God. . . . 'The Lord hath

His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,

and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He

rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and

drieth up all the rivers.' Nahum 1:3, 4."—

Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 109.

How did God prove to Abraham

and Sarah that nothing is impossible

with Him? Gen. 18:14; 21:1, 2.

NWM

ATOMIC EXPLOSIONS GIVE MAN A

HINT OF

GOD'S

POWER.

q 50 - 10

NOTE.—"The veil of anonymity was now

thrown completely aside, and the speaker

unmistakably identified Himself as the Lord.

It is interesting to note that although this

divine appearance was perhaps intended

more for Sarah's benefit than for Abraham's,

since he already knew and believed, the

Lord did not address Sarah directly until

she had first spoken to Him. Instead of

speaking to Sarah, He asked Abraham

whether anything could be too difficult for

the Lord. It was primarily to correct Sarah's

unbelief and to strengthen her faith that God

spoke thus. Where human wisdom and

strength fail, and where nature, enfeebled,

lacks ability to act, there God still has full

sway and brings things to pass according

to the counsels of His own divine will. In

fact, He often permits circumstances to

reach an impasse so that human impotence

may stand forth in striking contrast to His

omnipotence."—The

Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary, vol. 1,

p. 328.

In the experience of Israel, how

did God demonstrate His mighty

power? Deut. 4:37.

In what ways did God show the

Babylonian king that His power is

supreme? Dan. 3:17, 28; 6:16, 19-23.

NOTE.—"But the Lord did not forget His

own. As His witnesses were cast into the

furnace, the Saviour revealed Himself to

them in person, and together they walked

in the midst of the fire. In the presence of

the Lord of heat and cold, the flames lost

their power to consume....

"Forgotten was the great golden image,

set up with such pomp. In the presence of

the living God, men feared and trembled....

"By the deliverance of His faithful ser-

vants, the Lord declared that He takes His

stand with the oppressed, and rebukes all

earthly powers that rebel against the author-

ity of Heaven. ...

"As in the days of Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego, so in the closing period of

earth's history the Lord will work mightily

in behalf of those who stand steadfastly for

the right. He who walked with the Hebrew

worthies in the fiery furnace will be with

His followers wherever they

are."—Proph-

ets and Kings,

pages 508-513.

How adequate is God's power

for every emergency? Ps. 107:2-6, 23-

31. Compare Jonah 1:17; 2:1, 2, 10.

God's Power to Save Men

10.

What does Paul declare the gos-

pel to be? Rom. 1:16.

NoTE.—The same great power that God

has demonstrated through creation, through

His dealings with men, and through up-

holding the vast universe is turned toward

saving men. The gospel "is the

power of

God

unto salvation."

11.

What example of God's power

shows how mightily He will work to

save sinners? Eph. 1:18-20.

12.

What assurance have we of the

triumph of God's power over Satan's?

Luke 9:42, 43; Col. 1:12, 13.

13.

How fully does God's power

enable us to be victorious in the Chris-

tian life? Eph. 3:20; Phil. 1:6; Jude 24,

25.

[ 36 j

14. How much of God's power and

authority is promised to the church for

its task of world evangelism? Matt.

28:18.

NorE.—"He came and spoke to them say-

ing, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven

and in earth.' The disciples had worshiped

Him before He spoke, but His words, fall-

ing from lips that had been closed in death,

thrilled them with peculiar power. He was

now the risen Saviour. Many of them had

seen Him exercise His power in healing the

sick and controlling satanic agencies. They

believed that He possessed power to set up

His kingdom at Jerusalem, power to quell

all opposition, power over the elements of

nature. He had stilled the angry waters;

He had walked upon the white-crested bil-

lows; He had raised the dead to life. Now

He declared that 'all power' was given to

Him. His words carried the minds of His

hearers above earthly and temporal things

to the heavenly and eternal. They were

lifted to the highest conception of His

dignity and glory.... Clothed with bound-

less authority, He gave His commission to

the disciples: 'Go ye therefore, and teach

all nations.'

"—The Desire of Ages,

page

819.

Questions for Meditation

True or false? Vegetation could grow

without the exercise of divine power.

Which is more impressive to you—

God's power to heal, or His power to de-

stroy?

When we fail to obtain the victory

over some besetting sin, what is the real

reason for failure?

Lesson 11, for June 13, 1959

God's Consuming Glory

MEMORY VERSE:

"Lift up your heads,

ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting

doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The

Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory." Ps. 24:9, 10.

STUDY HELPS:

"Testimonies," vol. 8, pp. 255-262; "The Great Controversy,"

pages 640-652 (1950 subscription ed., pp. 627-643); "The Seventh-day

Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson Help in "Review and

Herald" of May 28.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions 11-13.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 4-7.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. Nature and Extent of God's Glory

God alone deserving of glory. Isa.

42:8, 12.

Nature bears witness to His glory.

Ps. 19:1-3 ; Isa. 6:3.

The redeemed give God glory for-

ever. Rev. 5:13.

II. God's Glory Revealed to Men

Moses and the burning bush. Ex.

3:2-6.

God's glory on Mount Sinai. Ex.

19:16-18; 24:16, 17.

Effect on Moses. Ex. 34:29-35.

God's glory in the sanctuary. Lev.

16:2.

Too great for priests to endure. Ex.

40:34, 35 ; 1 Kings 8:10, 11; 2 Chron.

5:14; 7:1-3.

The visions of Isaiah and John.

Isa. 6:1-4; Rev. 15:8.

Ill. The Glory of Christ, and His Coming

10.

Christ the King of glory. Heb. 1:2,

3; Ps. 24:7-10.

11.

Combined glory at Christ's coming.

Ps. 50:3; Matt. 24:27; Luke 9:26.

12.

Glory to destroy wicked. Isa. 2:10;

2 Thess. 1:7-9.

13.

Righteous will rejoice to see. Isa.

25:9.

THE LESSON

Introduction

None can fully appreciate the greatness

of God unless they understand something

of His glory. The Scriptures declare that

"our God is a consuming fire." Heb. 12:29;

Deut. 4:24. This description is designed to

picture the great glory that attends His

person. This glory is the outshining of His

character. Ex. 33:18-20.

Of her own experience in vision, Ellen G.

White has written: "I saw a throne, and on

it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on

Jesus' countenance and admired His lovely

person. The Father's person I could not

behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered

Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a

form like Himself. He said He had, but I

could not behold it, for said He, 'If you

should once behold the glory of His person,

you would cease to exist.'

"-Early Writ-

ings,

page 54. How great is our God! Let

mortal man bow low before Him in humility

and awe.

Nature and Extent of God's Glory

Who alone is worthy to receive

glory? Isa. 42:8, 12.

NcrrE.-Because God's glory is inseparably

connected with His character, His power,

and His works, it is impossible for any

other being to share it. He alone is the

supreme manifestation of truth, and "the

truth and the glory of God are inseparable."

-The Great Controversy,

page 597.

Of what does all nature bear wit-

ness? Ps. 19:1-3; Isa. 6:3.

NOTE

.-"Glory.

Wisdom, power, skill,

benevolence-the things that constitute

God's glory. A glimpse at the open sky

with the naked eye is sufficient to impress

upon the beholder a sense of the glory of

God. How much greater is that revelation

when the heavens are scrutinized through

modern high-powered telescopes."-The

Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,

vol.

3, p. 675.

In what words will every crea-

ture in the universe finally ascribe

praise to God for His glory? Rev. 5:13.

NorE.-"John, in the Revelation, looking

forward to the eternal state, hears a uni-

versal anthem of praise undisturbed by one

note of discord."-The

Great Controversy,

page 545.

God's Glory Revealed to Men

How was God's glory revealed

to Moses while he was tending his

flocks? What was his reaction? Ex.

3:2-6.

NOTE.-"Moses saw a bush in flames,

branches, foliage, and trunk, all burning,

yet seeming not to be

consumed."-Patri-

archs and Prophets,

page 251.

"The place where Moses stood was holy,

not because it was an old sanctuary or

sacred spot previously unknown as such to

him, as some commentators have thought,

but because of the presence of God."-

[ 88

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-

tary, vol.

1, p. 510. "The glory of the holy

God no sinful man can bear; hence it was

only natural for Moses to hide his face."—

Ibid.

When God manifested His glory

on Mount Sinai, what effect did it

have on both the mountain and the

people? Ex. 19:16-18; 24:16, 17.

NOTE.—"From the thick darkness flashed

vivid lightnings, while peals of thunder

echoed and re-echoed among the surround-

ing heights. . . . So terrible were the tokens

of Jehovah's presence that the hosts of Israel

shook with fear, and fell upon their faces

before the Lord. Even Moses exclaimed, 'I

exceedingly fear and

quake.' "—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 304.

" 'And they saw the God of Israel; and

there was under His feet as it were a paved

work of a sapphire stone, and as it were

the body of heaven in His clearness.' They

did not behold the Deity, but they saw the

glory of His presence."—/bid., p. 312.

What was the effect on Moses of

spending forty days with God in the

mount? What did he do so that the

people could look upon him without

fear? Ex. 34:29-35.

NOTE.—"By this brightness, God designed

to impress upon Israel the sacred, exalted

character of His law, and the glory of the

gospel revealed through Christ. . . . It was

the heavenly light streaming from Calvary,

no less than the glory of the law of God,

that shed such a radiance upon the face of

Moses. . . .

"The glory reflected in the countenance of

Moses illustrates the blessings to be re-

ceived by God's commandment-keeping peo-

ple through the mediation of Christ. It

testifies that the closer our communion with

God, and the clearer our knowledge of His

requirements, the more fully shall we be

conformed to the divine image, and the more

readily do we become partakers of the

divine nature."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 330.

How great was God's glory in the

most holy place of the earthly sanctu-

ary? Lev. 16:2.

NOTE.—"In the sanctuary and the temple,

that were the earthly symbols of God's

dwelling place, one apartment was sacred to

His presence. The veil inwrought with

cherubim at its entrance was not to be

lifted by any hand save one. To lift that

veil and intrude unbidden into the sacred

mystery of the most holy place was death.

For above the mercy seat and the bowed,

worshiping angels dwelt the glory of the

Holiest, glory upon which no man might

look and live. On the •one day of the year

appointed for ministry in the most holy

place, the high priest with trembling en-

tered God's presence, while clouds of in-

cense veiled the glory from his sight."—

Testimonies,

vol. 8, pp. 284, 285.

What conditions sometimes made

it impossible for Moses and the priests

to enter the tabernacle? Ex. 40:34,

35; 1 Kings 8:10, 11; 2 Chron. 5:14;

7:1-3.

When Isaiah and John beheld in

vision the glory of God in the heav-

enly sanctuary, what did they say con-

cerning its effects on the building? Isa.

6:1-4; Rev. 15:8.

The Glory of Christ, and His

Coming

10.

How does Christ's glory com-

pare with the Father's? By what title

was He addressed as He ascended to

heaven? Heb. 1:2, 3; Ps. 24:7-10.

11.

When Christ returns to earth,

how great will be the glory that at-

tends Him? Ps. 50:3; Matt. 24:27;

Luke 9:26.

[ 89 ]

ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS CAN

STAND CHRIST'S GLORY.

2Q 50-11

NOTE.—At Christ's resurrection a single

angel appeared. Yet this was sufficient to

cause a great earthquake and make the

usually brave Roman guards become "as

dead men." Matt. 28:2-4. Think of the

dazzling glory that will characterize Christ's

second advent "when He shall come in His

own glory, and in His Father's, and of the

holy angels." Matthew 25:31 says that all

the holy angels will come with Him. No

wonder the same verse says that He shall

"sit upon the throne of His

glory"!

12. What effect will the glory of

Christ's coming have upon the wicked?

Isa. 2:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-9.

NoTE.—"It is no arbitrary decree on the

part of God that excludes the wicked from

heaven: they are shut out by their own un-

fitness for its companionship. The glory

of God would be to them a consuming fire.

They would welcome destruction, that they

might be hidden from the face of Him who

died to redeem

them."—Steps to Christ

(1956 ed.), page 18.

13. Why will the glory which at-

tends Christ's return not strike fear to

the hearts of the righteous? Isa. 25:9.

NoTE.—God's glory is a terror to evil-

doers, but not to the righteous. Like the

pillar of cloud anciently that thwarted

Pharoah's plans to destroy Israel but flooded

the Israelites' "entire encampment with the

radiance of day"

(Patriarchs and Prophets,

page 287), so the glory of God destroys the

wicked without harming God's faithful

followers.

"To His faithful followers Christ has

been a daily companion and familiar friend.

They have lived in close contact, in constant

communion with God. Upon them the

glory of the Lord has risen. In them the

light of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ has been re-

flected. Now they rejoice in the undimmed

rays of the brightness and glory of the

King in His majesty."—Christ's

Object Les-

sons (1941

ed.), page 421.

Questions for Meditation

Which brings greater awe to you—

the thought of the dazzling brilliance of

God's person or the glory of His character?

What effect do you think it would have

on our countenance if we should spend

more time with God than we do?

As you think of all the glory that will

attend the coming of Christ, are you fear-

ful or do you rejoice? Why?

Lesson 12, for June 20, 1959

God's Holy Word

MEMORY VERSE:

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,

by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as

grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth,

and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for-

ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

Peter 1:23-25.

[ 40 ]

STUDY HELPS:

"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 103-114, 124-134; "The Desire of

Ages," pages 315-320; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on

lesson texts; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of June 4.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-4.

❑

Monday: Questions 5-7.



❑

Tuesday: Questions 8-10.

❑

Check Here



Wednesday: Questions 11-13.



❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

Friday: Read further from Study



Helps; review entire lesson.



❑

Introduction

The term "word of God" is threefold in

meaning: It indicates God's spoken word;

it describes the written word, the Scrip-

tures; and it refers to the Son of God, both

in heaven before the incarnation and after

His birth as the Son of man. See John 1:

1-3, 14.

Wherever Jesus, the Word, went, the peo-

ple were blessed. Living nineteen centuries

later, we perhaps sometimes feel that the

disciples and others had spiritual opportun-

ities that are not now available to us. But

we should remember that "the Bible is

God's voice speaking to us, just as surely

as though we could hear it with our ears.

If we realized this, with what awe would

we open God's word, and with what earnest-

ness would we search its precepts ! The

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. The Power of God's Spoken Word

Universe maintained by the word.

Heb. 1:1-3.

The worlds created by the word.

Ps. 33:6, 9; 148:5.

God's word like fire and hammer.

Jer. 23:29.

Judgments on wicked by the word.

2 Peter 3:5-7.

Healing through the word. Ps. 107:

20; Matt. 8:8.

II. Spiritual Blessings Through the

Written Word

6. New birth by the word.' John 3:3;

James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23.

Spiritual growth through the word.

1 Peter 2:2.

Sin in the life conquered through the

word. Ps. 119:9, 11; John 15:3; Eph.

5:25-27.

Abiding in Christ thrOugh the word.

John 15:4, 7.

10.

Holy Spirit accompanies the Word.

Eph. 6:17.

11.

Eternal life through the word. John

6:63; 5:24.

III. Eternal and Unchanging Nature of

Griod's Word

•

12. God's word will endure forever.

Mark 13:31; 1 Peter 1:25.

13. Warning to those who would at-

tempt to change the word. Rev.

22:18, 19.

THE LESSON

reading and contemplation of the Scriptures

would be regarded as an audience with the

Infinite

One."-Testimonies,

vol. 6, p. 393.

"The Saviour desired to fix the faith of

His followers on the word. When His visible

presence should be withdrawn, the word

must be their source of power. Like their

Master, they were to live `by every word

that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'

Matt.

4:4."-The Desire of Ages,

page 390.

The Power of God's Spoken Word

By what. power are the worlds

held in their orbits? Heb. 1:1-3.

How did God create the worlds?

Ps. 33:6,



148:5.

[ 41 ]

NOTE.—"The work of creation cannot be

explained by science. What science can ex-

plain the mystery of life?

" 'Through faith we understand that the

worlds were framed by the word of God,

so that things which are seen were not made

of things which do appear.' Hebrews 11:

"In the creation of the earth, God was

not indebted to pre-existing matter. 'He

spake, and it was; . .. He commanded, and

it stood fast.' Psalm 33:9. All things, ma-

terial or spiritual, stood up before the Lord

Jehovah at His voice and were created for

His own purpose. The heavens and all the

host of them, the earth and all things there-

in, came into existence by the breath of

His mouth."—The

Ministry of Healing,

pages 414, 415.

Through what illustrations does

God indicate the power that His word

possesses? Jer. 23:29.

Through what means was the

earth destroyed by the Flood, and what

future event is to take place by the

same power? 2 Peter 3:5-7.

What examples are given of the

healing power of God's word? Ps.

107:20; Matt. 8:8.

NoTE.—"It was by His word that Jesus

healed disease and cast out demons; by His

word He stilled the sea and raised the dead;

and the people bore witness that His word

was with power. He spoke the word of

God, as He had spoken to all the prophets

and teachers of the Old Testament. The

whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ."

—The Ministry of Healing,

page 122.

•

Spiritual Blessings Through the

Written Word

How important is the new birth,

and through what agency does God

accomplish this work? John 3:3; James

1:18; 1 Peter 1:23.

NoTE.—"The creative energy that called

the worlds into existence is in the word of

God. This word imparts power; it begets

life. Every command is a promise; accepted

by the will, received into the soul, it brings

with it the life of the Infinite One. It trans-

forms the nature, and re-creates the soul

in the image of

God."—Education,

page .126.

Following the new birth, what

must take place in the life of a be-

liever? What is the agent for growth?

1 Peter 2:2.

NarE.—"All who study the word are 'rep-

resented as eating the word, feeding on

Christ. . . . Even as the bodily necessities

must be supplied daily, so the word of God

must be daily studied—eaten, and digested,

and practiced. This sustains the nourish-

ment, to keep the soul in health.. The neg-

lect of the word means starvation to the

soul. The word describes the blessed man

as one meditating day and night upon the

truths of God's word. We all are to feast

upon the word of God. The relation of

the word to the believer is a vital matter.

Appropriating the word to our spiritual

necessities is the eating of the leaves of the

tree of life that are for the healing of the

nations. Study the word, and practice the

word, for it is your

life."—Counsels on

Sabbath School Work,

pages 43, 44.

What effect 'will :God's word

have on sin in the life? Ps. 119:9, 11;

John 15:3; Eph. 5:25-27.

NOTE.—"The means by which we can

overcome the wicked one is that by which

Christ overcame,—the power of the word.

God does not control our minds without

our consent; but if we desire to know and

to do His will, His promises are ours: 'Ye

shall know the truth, and the truth, shall

make you free.' 'If any man willeth to do

His will, he shall know of the .teaching.'

John 8:32; 7:17, R.V. Through faith in

these promises, every man may be delivered

from the snares of error and the control.of

sin."—The Desire of Ages,

page 258.

CREATION,

NEW BIRTH, HEALING, AND

ETERNAL LIFE

COME

THROUGH

THE

. WORD OF GOD.

Q 52 - 12

What close relationship did

Christ say He and His followers should

bear one to another? How is this to

be accomplished? John 15:4, 7.

NOTE.—"It

is through the word that

Christ abides in His followers. This is the

same vital union that is represented by

eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The

words of Christ are spirit and life. Re-

ceiving them, you receive the life of the

Vine. You live. `by every word that pro-

ceedeth out of .the mouth of God.' Matt.

4:4."—The Desire of Ake;

page 677.

"The .reception .of the word, the bread

from heaven, is declared to be the reception

of Christ Himself. As the word of God

is received into the soul, we partake of the

flesh and blood of the Son of God. . . . As

the blood is formed in the body by the food

eaten,. so Christ is formed within by the

eating of the word of God, which is His

flesh and blood. He who feeds upon that

word has Christ formed within, the hope

of glory."--Ellen G. White,

Review. and

Herald,

Nov. 23, 1897.

10.

What relation does the word of

God bear to the Holy Spirit? Eph.

6:17.

No•fE.H"The Word, of God—the truth-

js the channelthrough whiCh the Lord ma

feltsSpirit'and' PieWee."

-Ther

:Act:i:

the Apostles,

page 520. Since the Holy

Spirit is received through the word, it is ap-

parent that the latter rain will fall on those

who are being faithful in studying the Bible.

11.

What supreme gift comes

through the words of Christ? John

6:63; 5:24.

NOTE.—"The word of God is the seed.

Every seed has in itself a germinating prin-

ciple. In it the life of the plant is enfolded.

So there is life in God's word. . . . In

every command and in every promise of the

word of God is the power, the very life of

God, by which the command may be ful-

filled and the promise realized. He who by

faith receives the word is receiving the very

life and character of

God."—Christ's Object

Lessons,

page 38.

Eternal and Unchanging Nature

of God's Word

12.

How long will God's word en-

dure? Mark 13:31; 1 Peter 1:25.

NOTE.—"That

word which reveals the

guilt of sin has a power upon the human

heart to make man right and keep him so.

The Lord has said that His word is to be

studied and obeyed; it is to be brought into

the practical life; that word is as inflexible

as the character of God—the same yester-

day, today, and

forever."—Testimonies to

Ministers,

pages 80, 81.

13.

What warning is given to those

who attempt to alter God's word in

any way? Rev. 22:18, 19.

Questions for Meditation

What effect may our words have on

the health and well-being of others?

What is the best way of making sure

that the latter rain does not pass us by?

When I misinterpret the plain mean-

ing of, Scripture. in order to allow. for my

sing, why Will I riot escape the'S'Oten

last

plagues 7'

NWM

Lesson 13, for June 27, 1959

God's Wonderful Fatherhood

MEMORY VERSE:

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them

that fear Him. For He knoweth our frCime; He remembereth that we are dust."

Ps. 103:13, 14.

STUDY HELPS:

"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing" 1956 ed., pp. 103-106,

(1943 ed., pp. 154-156); "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 139-149, 198-211;

"Education," pages 151-154, 295-297; "The Ministry of Healing," pages 470-

472; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on lesson texts; Lesson

Help in "Review and Herald" of June 11.

DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD

Check Here

Sabbath afternoon: General survey.

❑

Wednesday: Questions

12-15.

❑

Sunday: Questions 1-3.

❑

Thursday: Read from Study Helps.

❑

Monday: Questions 4-7.

❑

Friday: Read further from Study

Tuesday: Questions 8-11.

Helps; review entire lesson.

❑

•

Introduction

No study of God would be complete with-

out gaining an understanding of Him in the

role of Father. It is inspiring to learn of

Lesson Outline

Introduction

I. God's Relation to Man

We are taught to call God "Father."

Matt. 6:9.

This makes Christians sons and

daughters of God. 1 John 3:1, 2.

Title of spiritual Father reserved for

God and Christ. Isa. 9:6; Matt.

23:9; 1 Cor. 8:5, 6; Eph. 4:6.

II. The Father's Love for Man

Equal to His love for Christ. John

17:23.

He freely forgives those who repent.

Isa. 55:7; Hosea 14:4; Luke 15:

20-24.

He disciplines those whom He loves.

Heb. 12:6-11; 1 Peter 4:12, 13; Rev.

3:19.

III. The Father's Watchcare Over His

Children

God cares for us. Matt. 6:8; 1 Peter

5:7.

He knows every detail of our lives.

Ps. 139:3 ; Matt. 10:29-31; Heb. 4:

13.

He will direct us if we are willing.

'Ps. 48:14; Prov. 3:6.

10.

He will help us conquer temptation.

1 Cor. 10:13 ; 2 Peter 2:9.

11.

He provides for us. Ps. 34:10; 84:11;

Matt. 6:8, 25-30; 7:11; Rom. 8:32.

12.

He shares our difficulties. Ps. 68:5;

Isa. 43:2; 49:15; 58:11.

IV. God and the Redeemed

13.

We are to be perfect, like our Father.

Matt. 5:48.

14.

Rewards in the kingdom. Matt. 25:

34; Rev. 2:7; 3:21.

15.

Redeemed to see the Father's face.

Rev. 22:4.

THE LESSON

His power; it is challenging to discover

how infinite is His wisdom; it is uplifting

to study His character; but no picture of

God carries with it quite the emotional ap-

peal and encouragement that does His

OUR

ELDER BROTHER MAKES US • ""

ACCEPTABLE TO THE FATHER.

.2051,111

Fatherhood. Because of this, "Christ's most

favorite theme was the paternal character

and abundant love of

God."—Testimonies

to Ministers,

page 192.

As in past ages, the world still is in great

need of understanding God as Father: This

concept will bring peace to the heart, com-

fort in the hour of sorrow, and hope, to all

who have wandered away from the Father's

house.

God's Relation to Man

By what affectionate title did

Jesus teach His followers to address

God? Matt. 6:9.

NOTE.—"In order to strengthen our con-

fidence in God, Christ teaches us to address

Him by a new name, a name entwined with

the dearest associations of the human heart.

He gives us the privilege of calling the in-

finite God our Father. This name, spoken

to Him and of Him, is a sign of our love and

trust toward Him, and a pledge of His re-

gard and relationship to us. Spoken when

asking His favor or blessing, it is as music

in His ears. That we might not,tthink it

preiumption to call Him by this name, He

has repeated it again and again. He desire's

us to become familiar with the appellation."

—Christ's Object Lessons

(1941 ed.), pages

141, 142.

Since God is our "Father," what

relationship do we sustain to Him?

1 John 3:1, 2.

NOTE.—"God regards us as His children.

He has redeemed us out of the careless world

and has chosen us to become members of the

royal family, sons and daughters of the

heavenly King. He invites us to trust in Him

with a trust deeper and stronger than that

of a child in his earthly father. Parents love

their children, but the love of Go'd is larger,

broader, deeper, than human love can pos-

sibly be. It is immeasurable."—Christ's

Object Lessons

(1941 ed.), page 142.

Why are we asked to reserve the

title of Father, as Deity, to God and

Christ alone? Isa. 9:6; Matt. 23:9; 1

Cor. 8:5, 6; Eph. 4:6.

NoTE.—"Whatever the heathen might do

or think, Christians should know that there

is only one God, and He alone has the right

to rule over them. There is not one God

who rules over a portion of the human fam-

ily and others who govern other sections of

the world's population. One God created all

things, and by virtue of this act He has

power and authority over everything on

the •earth."—The

Seventh-day Adventist

Bible Commentary,

vol. 6, pp. '720, 721.

The Father's Love for Man

How great is God's love for man-

kind? John 17:23.

NorE.—"Only He who knew the height

and depth of the love of God could make it

manifest. Nothing less than the infinite

sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen

man could express the Father's love to.lost

humanity."-ZSteps

to Christ

(1956 • ed.),

page 14.

What attitude will the Father

take toward His children who forsake

their evil ways and desire to return

home? Isa. 55:7; Hosea 14:4; Luke

15:20-24.

'NOTE.—"In his restless youth the prodi-

gal looked upon his father as stern and

severe. How different his conception of him

( 45

how! So those who are deceived by Satan

look upon God as hard and exacting. They

regard Him as watching to denounce and

condemn, as unwilling to receive the sinner

so long as there is a legal excuse for not

helping him. His law they regard as a re-

striction upon men's happiness, a burden-

some yoke from which they are glad to es-

cape. But he whose eyes have been opened

by the love of Christ will behold God as

full of compassion. He does not appear as a

tyrannical, relentless being, but as a father

longing to embrace his repenting son."—

Christ's Object Lessons

(1941 ed.), page 204.

What evidence of the Father's

,love do His earthly children sometimes

misunderstand? What is God's pur-

pose in this discipline? Heb. 12:6-11;

1 Peter 4: 12, 13; Rev. 3:19.

NOTE.—"Trials and obstacles are the

Lord's chosen methods of discipline and

His appointed conditions of success. He

who reads the hearts of men knows their

characters better than they themselves know

them. He sees that some have powers and

susceptibilities which, rightly directed,

might be used in the advancement of His

work. In His providence He brings these

persons into different positions and varied

circumstances that they may discover in

their character the defects which have been

concealed from their own knowledge. He

gives them opportunity to correct these de-

fects and to fit themselves for His service.

Often He permits the fires of affliction to

assail them that they may be purified."—

The Ministry of Healing,

page 471.

The Father's Watchcare Over

His Children

Why may we with confidence

cast our care upon God? Matt. 6:8;

1 Peter 5:7.

How many of the details of our

lives are known to our heavenly

Father? Ps. 139:3; Matt. 10:29-31;

Heb. 4:13.

NOTE.—"The infinite God, said Jesus,

makes it your privilege to approach Him by

the name of Father. .. . God dwells in every

abode; He hears every' word that is spoken,

listens to every prayer that is offered, tastes

the sorrows and disappointments of every

soul, regards the treatment that is given

to father, mother, sister, friend, and neigh-

bor. He cares for our necessities, and His

love and mercy and grace are continually

flowing to satisfy our

need."—Thoughts

From the Mount of Blessing

(1956 ed.),

page 105.

What part is the Father willing

to play in the

life

plans of His chil-

dren? Ps. 48:14; Prov. 3:6.

NoTE.—"But if you call God your Father,

you acknowledge yourselves His children, to

be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient

in all things, knowing that His love is

changeless. You will accept His plan for

your

life."—Thoughts From the Mount of

Blessing

(1956 ed.), page 105.

10.

What provision has God made

to help His children meet temptation

successfully? 1 Cor. 10:13;.2 Peter 2:9.

11.

How may we be certain that our

Father will supply all our physical

and spiritual necessities? Ps. 34:10;

84:11; Matt. 6:8, 25-30; 7:11; Rom.

8:32.

12.

Why should the true Christian

not lose heart even in the midst of

discouraging situations? Ps. 68:5; Isa.

43:2; 49:15; 58:11.

God and the Redeemed,

13.

What standard of character is

presented for God's children to reach?

Matt. 5:48.

[ 46]

14.

What wonderful invitation will

Christ extend to the redeemed? What

privileges will be granted them? Matt.

25:34; Rev. 2:7; 3:21.

15.

What exalted privilege will

bring supreme joy to the redeemed?

I Rev. 22:4.

NOTE.

-"To those who receive Him He

gives power to become the sons of God, that

at last God may receive them as His, to

dwell with Him throughout eternity. If

during this life they are loyal to God, they

will at last 'see His face; and His name

shall be in their foreheads.' Revelation

22:

And what is the happiness of heaven but

to see God? What greater joy could come

to the sinner saved by the grace of Christ

than to look upon the face of God and know

Him as Father

?"-The Ministry of Healing,

page 421.

Questions for Meditation

Will my children be attracted to their

heavenly Father as a result of knowing me,

or will they be repelled?

If God is truly my Father, I should

possess His wonderful traits of character.

Do I?

When I pass through the discipline of

trial, do I feel that God still loves me? Am

I tempted to feel resentful?

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

June 27, 1959

This quarter the overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering goes to the

Middle East Division, where most of the stories recorded in the Bible took

place.

Again we are privileged to help train workers for this needy field by

helping to provide funds to build a central training school for Iraq.

The other project this quarter is the strengthening of our medical and

welfare work in the Republic of Sudan in Central Africa.

The fields to benefit from the overflow for the next four quarters are:

Third quarter-Far Eastern Division

Fourth quarter-Southern Asia Division

First quarter, 196o-Northern European Division

Second quarter-Southern European Division

LESSONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1959

Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior

Lesson Quarterly

for the

third quarter of 1959 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first lesson.

The subject of the quarter's lessons is "Great Themes of the New Testament." The title

of the first lesson is "The Eternal Fatherhood of

God." The Memory Verse is 1 John

3:1. The texts to be studied are:

Ques. 1. Matt.

6:9.



Ques. 8. John 1:12, 13; Rom. 8:14, 16.

Ques. 2. Matt. 10:29-31; 18:4.



Ques. 9. 2 Cor. 5:14.

Ques. 3. John 4:8-10.



Ques. 10. Heb. 12:5-12.

Ques. 4. Matt. 11:27; John 14:6-9.



Ques. 11. Col. 1:12-14.

Ques. 5. Rom. 5:5; Gal. 4:6.



Ques. 12. John 4:23; Heb. 4:16.

Ques. 6. Rom. 8:32.



Ques. 13. John 10:29; Rom. 8:35-39.

Ques. 7. I John 3:1, 2.

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